Iraqi Billionaire Threatens Reporters Investigating Rezko Affair
AIM Column | By Andrew Walden | August 24, 2008
U.S. media outlets are historically strong defenders of press freedoms. But there has been near-total silence about the UK-based legal threats to public discussion of the Rezko affair.
Why aren’t the American media investigating the role of British billionaire businessman Nadhmi Auchi in supplying loans to Barack Obama fundraiser Tony Rezko? Some point to media bias, but there is another factor. Working for Auchi, who was born in Iraq, attorneys from London law firm Carter-Ruck have for several months been flooding American and British newspapers and websites with letters demanding removal of material they deem “defamatory” to their client.
In its June 28 edition, British satirical magazine Private Eye explains: “Until Carter-Ruck and Partners and England’s stifling libel laws got to work, the few American journalists not caught up in Obama-mania were turning to the archives of the British press to answer an intriguing question: who is Nadhmi Auchi?”
What is so “stifling” about English libel law? In the U.K., as Carter-Ruck explains on its own website, “A libel claimant does not have to prove that the words are false or to prove that he has in fact suffered any loss. Damage is presumed.”
The Obama campaign recently issued a non-denial denial in response to claims that Obama met with Auchi―contained in Jerome Corsi’s bestseller, The Obama Nation. They cited only two references. One is, “Mr. Auchi’s lawyer” who told the February 27, 2008 London Evening Standard, “As far as he can remember he has had no direct contact with Mr. Obama.” Another is, “A lawyer for Auchi, Alasdair Pepper” who says, according to the April 16, 2008 Washington Post, “Auchi Had ‘No Recollection’ Of Meeting Obama or Michelle.” Alasdair Pepper is the attorney whose name appears on the Carter-Ruck demand letters.
The Secret Loan
A secret $3.5 million loan from an Auchi company to key early-money Barack Obama fundraiser Antoin Rezko was exposed while Rezko was awaiting trial on fraud and money-laundering charges earlier this year. Rezko’s bail was revoked and police showed up banging on the doors of his Wilmette Chicago mansion to drag him off to jail early in the morning of January 28th. Auchi’s loan to Rezko had come on May 23, 2005 but had not been disclosed to the Court as required in his bail agreement. Three weeks later, on June 15, 2005, Rezko’s wife assisted the Obamas in the purchase of their South Chicago mansion by purchasing a next-door undeveloped lot being sold with the house.
According to the Times of London, “Mr. Rezko’s lawyer said his client had ‘longstanding indebtedness’ to Mr. Auchi’s General Mediterranean Holding (GMH). By June 2007 he owed it $27.9 million. Under a Loan Forgiveness Agreement described in court, M. Auchi lent Mr. Rezko $3.5 million in April 2005 and $11 million in September 2005, as well as $3.5 million transferred in April 2007. That agreement provided for the outstanding loans to be ‘forgiven’ in return for a stake in the 62-acre Riverside Park development.”
Rezko’s relationship with Barack Obama goes back to at least 1990, when Obama’s law firm did work relating to thousands of now-decaying Rezko apartment units in South Chicago. Rezko was a key early-money fundraiser in Obama’s state Senate campaigns and his failed run at the U.S. Congress.
According to The Times of London, “Mr. Auchi first met Mr. Rezko after the 2003 Iraq war and they have a business relationship.” At the time Auchi was facing the possibility of extradition to France. The Times of London explains: “Mr Auchi was convicted of corruption, given a suspended sentence and fined £1.4 million in France in 2003 for his part in the Elf affair, described as the biggest political and corporate scandal in post-war Europe. He, in a statement from his media lawyers, claims he is appealing against the sentence.”
In 2003, Nick Cohen of the UK Guardian wrote:
Allow me to introduce you to Nadhmi Auchi. He was charged in the 1950s with being an accomplice of Saddam Hussein, when the future tyrant was acquiring his taste for blood. He was investigated in the 1980s for his part in alleged bribes to the fabulously corrupt leaders of post-war Italy. In the 1990s, the Belgium Ambassador to Luxembourg claimed that Auchi’s bank held money Saddam and Colonel Gadaffi had stolen from their luckless peoples. In 2002, officers from the Serious Fraud Squad raided the offices of one of Auchi’s drug companies as part of an investigation of what is alleged to be the biggest swindle ever of the (British National Health Service). With allegations, albeit unproven, like these hanging over him, wouldn’t you think that British MPs would have the sense to stay away?
But after threats from Carter-Ruck, Cohen’s “defamatory” article became one of six Guardian and Observer articles scrubbed from the Internet this April.
Blogger “A Jacksonian” received a similar demand on or before June 24. His article is still up. It details much of the information contained in the six deleted Guardian/Observer articles.
Source of Wealth
Auchi in 1967 began an Iraq Oil Ministry career eventually rising to be Director of Planning and Development under the Baathist dictatorship. He formed GMH in 1979 and then left Iraq. A key source of weapons procurement for Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war, GMH became the largest single private shareholder of Banque Nationale du Paris (BNP) which later merged with Paribas to form BNP-Paribas. BNP and BNP-Paribas, at Saddam Hussein’s insistence, handled all Oil-for-Food transactions until 2001 when the incoming administration of George W. Bush demanded change.
Investigative journalist Bill Gertz explains:
“A 2004 Pentagon report obtained by The Washington Times identified Auchi as a global arms dealer and Iraqi billionaire ‘who, behind the facade of legitimate business, served as Saddam Hussein’s principle (sic) international financial manipulator and bag man.’
“The report to the Pentagon inspector general stated that … ‘significant and credible evidence has been developed that Nadhmi Auchi has engaged in unlawful activities working closely with Iraqi intelligence operatives to, Bribe foreign governments and individuals prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom to turn opinion against the American-led mission to remove Saddam Hussein.’”
The web scrubbing did not stop with the six Guardian/Observer articles. New Statesman writer Martin Bright reports that Auchi lawyers “have written to ask us to remove the names of the articles concerned.” Removed, the six titles are now available for reading only in difficult-to-find independent web archives:
“Labour blocks extradition of Iraqi tycoon” Observer, 2 February 2003
- “Billionaire linked to Labour arrested in London” Guardian, 2 April 2003
- “So, Norman, any regrets this time?” Observer, 6 April 2003
- “Tycoon in quiz over ties to Labour” Observer, 6 April 2003
- “Politics of sleaze” Observer, 16 November 2003
- “MP questions Iraq role of Briton tainted over Elf” (this has also been titled “British fraudster to profit from Iraq contract”) Observer, 16 November 2003
Auchi’s Middle East Online April 23 celebrates the removal of the six articles with a photo of a sphinx-like Auchi. The caption: “Tracking even the search engines.” In addition to the UK Guardian, the MEO article speaks proudly of articles forced off the Internet sites of the UK Sunday Times, the Financial Times, and Italian business weekly Il Mondo.
Crows Carter-Ruck attorney Alasdair Pepper: “Another publisher is now shortly to be sued over false material it is publishing on the internet, having failed to heed a warning letter. A fulsome apology, injunction and substantial damages will be sought against it.”
Carter-Ruck’s website touts the UK Daily Mail’s description of the firm as “London’s best known and most feared libel lawyers.” But dead men cannot sue. On December 23, 2003 former Carter-Ruck partner David Hooper wrote:
“The libel lawyer Peter Carter-Ruck, who died on Friday, had a chilling effect on the media. He was a chancer, out for the maximum fee. And he did for freedom of speech what the Boston Strangler did for door-to-door salesmen… He established the idea that libel law was complicated and merited very high fees. In the process he became very rich. ‘I like to bill the clients as the tears are flowing,’ he told me.”
In another article now missing from its original website, Jack Kelly of RealClearPolitics.com wrote:
“‘The name Nadhmi Auchi was just another name for Saddam’s intelligence service, or so we thought,’ said Nibras Kazimi, a former Iraqi dissident who is now a visiting scholar at the Hudson Institute in Washington D.C.
“Mr. Auchi is a business partner of Syrian-born businessman Antoin ‘Tony’ Rezko, who has supported Mr. Obama financially since his first run for the Illinois state senate in 1996.”
Additional Targets
Journalists are not the only targets. The former Wikipedia entry for Auchi’s GMH remains available on Answers.com. It reads in part: “In 1996, according to European news accounts, Belgium’s ambassador to Luxembourg charged that Banque Continentale du Luxembourg, a bank that Nadhmi Auchi and Paribas jointly controlled until 1994, had handled personal accounts for former dictator of Iraq Saddam Hussein.” Banque Continentale denies the charges.
But the original GMH Wikipedia article has been taken down, replaced by an entry flagged as being “written like an advertisement” which mentions none of the controversy swirling around GMH.
Lead is joined by silver. In the scrubbed article, the Guardian’s Cohen wrote: “(Auchi) has been able to collect British politicians the way other people collect stamps.”
The London Times, which has held out against most of the Carter-Ruck litigation threats writes:
“On the 20th anniversary of his business in 1999, Mr. Auchi received a greeting card signed by 130 politicians, including Tony Blair, William Hague and Charles Kennedy, who were then leaders of their respective parties.”
But even this Times article has been tagged. At the end is a disclaimer added after the original publication:
Note: we wish to make it clear that, in the original piece “Obama bagman is sent to jail over $3.5m payment by British tycoon” (Feb. 1), we did not intend to suggest that there was any connection between the $3.5m loan from Mr. Auchi to Mr. Rezko and any approaches Mr. Rezko may have made to Illinois State Officials. We apologise to Mr Auchi for any misunderstanding.”
Sanitizing the Record
Web scrubbing begins at home—in this case with Middle East Online, owned by GMH. The Real Barack Obama documents January 2008 deletions taken down from Auchi’s website as Rezko prepared to go to trial. Also scrubbed: the website of the press secretary of Rep. John Knollenberg (R-MI) and even an ABC news article. The deletions appear aimed at obliterating all reference to Auchi’s April, 2004 visit to Michigan and Illinois.
Auchi is photographed meeting with Rezko, Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-Il), and President of the Illinois Senate Emil Jones during the visit. Jones and Rezko were both key early-money Obama backers. The Chicago Tribune and numerous other reports place Obama at the dinner at the Four Seasons hotel with Auchi, Blagojevich, Rezko and others. Court testimony by Stuart Levine in the Rezko trial places Obama at an April 3, 2004 party held in Auchi’s honor at Rezko’s house.
In spite of his British connections and an earlier 2004 U.S. visit, Auchi was denied entry into the U.S. in 2005. It is believed that he was attempting in 2005 to win a U.S. visa with the help of Rezko and several as-yet-unnamed Illinois political figures. Among Auchi’s many international awards is a 2005 election as an “Honorary Member in the International College of Surgeons in Chicago, Illinois.” Obama has denied trying to help Auchi.
Media Protection
In the U.S. efforts are underway to prevent foreign court libel judgments from infringing on the First Amendment guarantees of press freedom. On May 7, Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) was among those announcing introduction of the Free Speech Protection Act which has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration. He explained: “The United Kingdom has become a popular venue for defamation plaintiffs from around the world, because under English law it is not necessary for a libel plaintiff to prove falsity or actual malice as is required in the United States.”
Lynne Bradley, Director of American Library Association’s Office of Government Relations, explains the ALA’s July 31 decision to support the bill: “ALA is concerned that foreign libel lawsuits threaten U.S. authors and publishers and our freedoms of speech and the press. Through its chilling effect, such ‘venue shopping’ also denies the American people the right to read and to access information―another inherent First Amendment right essential to our democratic form of government.” The ALA has endorsed the bill, which is cosponsored by Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Charles Schumer (D-NY).
Auchi is not the only one taking advantage. In the UK, several books have been pulped and removed from libraries and booksellers after threats of expensive, drawn out litigation by wealthy Arabs and others.
While Islamist illegal combatants captured in combat on foreign soil and held at Guantanamo are moving closer to attaining the legal rights of U.S. citizens, American authors investigating and writing about subjects related to Islamist terror and Mideast corruption have been sued under a foreign legal system with inferior free speech protections and subjected to six-figure judgments entered in foreign courts.
Carter-Ruck’s efforts on behalf of Auchi go beyond major newspapers. Several websites carrying articles by RezkoWatch writer and progressive investigative journalist Evelyn Pringle were threatened with UK-based lawsuits. This was the second demand letter directed at RezkoWatch; the first arrived February 9. In response, RezkoWatch editors scrubbed any reference to Auchi as “corrupt” from their website except when quoted from an external source. In its posted response to Pepper, RezkoWatch indicates it also “archived” numerous articles pending verification of their contents.
In a June 29, 2008 AmericanThinker.com article: “Free Speech, the Obama Campaign, and the Washington Post”, this author wrote: “A Presidential candidate must be prepared to face extraordinary levels of scrutiny. If Obama and his supporters think they can silence questions about his background, his leftist terror-bomber backers, his ‘God damn America’ pastor, his cocaine use, his financial dealings with indicted Syrian-born businessman Tony Rezko, or with Saddam Hussein crony and oil-for-food banker Nadhmi Auchi, they are mistaken.”
Intimidation
Apparently I was mistaken. After American Thinker received a letter from Carter-Ruck, the sentence was chopped off after the word “Rezko.” Many website operators simply do not have the legal or financial resources necessary to face off with Carter-Ruck.
Larry Johnson of the No Quarter Blog received and posted online a February 18 demand letter from Carter-Ruck which claims Auchi “was not involved in any of (Saddam Hussein’s) operations.” Carter-Ruck even demands removal of material in the comments section below Johnson’s blog postings.
Similar claims, as well as misspellings, are contained in other of Pepper’s letters seen by this writer—perhaps indicating that the Auchi threat letter machine is nearing its operational limits and might fail if Internet users revolt and begin randomly posting deleted Auchi material all over the Internet in an act of cyber-civil-disobedience.
Senator Lieberman’s Free Speech Protection Act is modeled on “Rachel’s Law” signed April 30, 2008 by New York Governor David Paterson. Rachel’s Law had passed both houses of the New York state legislature unanimously March 31 after being introduced with bi-partisan support. “Rachel” is Rachel Ehrenfeld, an investigative journalist and author of Funding Evil: How Terrorism is Financed and How to Stop It.
Ehrenfeld’s 2003 book, published in the U.S., pointed to Saudi multi-millionaire Khalid Salim Bin Mahfouz as a funding source for al-Qaeda prior to 9-11. Mahfouz sued. He is Saudi; the book, its author and publisher are American; but rather than coming to a U.S. court, Mahfouz selected English jurisdiction in a typical case of “libel tourism.” Ehrenfeld did not answer the English suit and instead countersued in U.S. federal court.
Legal assaults from Middle Eastern sources are becoming so widespread that the Middle East Forum has founded The Legal Project to raise funds and recruit some of the nation’s finest attorneys willing to stand up pro-bono for free speech and defend writers against lawsuits and intimidation.
Six weeks after Governor Paterson signed Rachel’s Law, the New York Times published “Out of Step with Allies, U.S Defends Freedom to Offend in Speech” painting U.S. free speech as “out of step” with almost every other country because so-called hate speech is not banned. The Times’ primary example―a trial in British Colombia, where the Canadian Islamic Conference accuses MacLean’s magazine of violating Canadian ‘hate speech’ laws for publishing an excerpt from Mark Steyn’s book America Alone: The End of the World as We Know it.
According to the Times, the Muslims demand, “the magazine should be forbidden from saying similar things, forced to publish a rebuttal and made to compensate Muslims for injuring their ‘dignity, feelings and self-respect.’” Canada’s laws are similar to those in Britain and the many other countries with which the U.S. is “out of step.” As negative comment raged across the Internet, the Times scrubbed its own article, removing “Out of step with allies” from the title.
Also quoted in the Times, Jeremy Waldron, a New York University law professor, wrote in the New York Review of Books May 29: “It is not clear to me that the Europeans are mistaken when they say that a liberal democracy must take affirmative responsibility for protecting the atmosphere of mutual respect against certain forms of vicious attack.”
Silent Treatment
U.S. media outlets are historically strong defenders of press freedoms. But there has been near-total silence about the UK-based legal threats to public discussion of the Rezko affair. While Auchi’s interference may explain part of the media’s lack of interest, the attitude of the New York Times and New York Review of Books goes a long way towards explaining the rest.
If elected President, Obama will be required to swear to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Will Senator Obama now join in co-sponsoring S-2977, the Free Speech Protection Act of 2008, and call upon his fellow Democrats to bring the bill to the floor of the Senate for a vote? If not will Obama explain why the Free Speech Protection Act is not necessary to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution?”
Will reporters covering the campaign ask Obama whether, if elected, he would approve a request for U.S. residency from Auchi?
Are the media now cooperating in their own silencing? The attitude of the New York Times does not bode well.
Andrew Walden is Editor of the Hawaii Free Press in Hilo, Hawaii.
183 Comments | Post a Comment
Uh, is he Iraqi or British? The headline says Iraqi and the first line of the “piece” says British.
You don’t suppose AIM chose to put “Iraqi” in the headline to be inflammatory, do you?
Nah.
Good heavens! Is there anybody who still thinks that Jerome Corsi can be trusted about anything? As the review of his latest collection of lies in the current Time Magazine reports, there are at least 8 significant factual errors - all defamatory - in the first 50 pages. I myself counted 12. But, after all, I must be a Commie agent, right? Or am I an al Qaeda operative? Or - please don’t let it be true - a LIBERAL! I keep getting confused. I don’t even know if dave and I are one and the same person. So, I don’t know if I can be trusted.
Seriously, this latest piece of AIM fantasy seems to have been written by a deranged buffoon.
Uh, is he Iraqi or British?
“Auchi, who was born in Iraq”
Duh.
Too complicated for Obamabots?
Mr Z and too many L’s-
Do you actually think it’s clever to refer to someone as an “obamabot”? Seems pretty stupid to me.
Major Sullivan:
If you’d read more than the first couple of paragraphs, you’d see that references to Corsi’s material is significantly less than material produced by others referenced in the article. The Auchi - Rezko - Obama links have been explored (insufficiently in my opinion) for many many months if not years in both the print and video media.
Obama’s “Chicago Machine” political rise (his first election “win” was due to there being no other candidates for the post because his supporters successfully challenged his opponents’ petitions to have their names on the ballot) would indicate he has powerful backers in that corrupt environment. Auchi and Rezko were both Baathists (Auchi in Iraq and Rezko in Syria) before they moved westward, likely as agent provocateurs for Saddam and the al-Assads.
It is critical that Obama’s potential links to such characters as Auchi, Rezko, Wright, Davis, Dohrn, et. al. be placed in public view for voters to judge his character and agenda.
You’ll also be interested to see that your threatened libel suit on another thread here is frighteningly close to what this Carter-Ruck specializes in. The 1st Amendment guarantees people’s right to speak: it does not guarantee a right to not be offended by such speech.
“Dave and BS, you aren’t obamabots, you are simply retarded”
My, how clever. Kill yourself!
Obviously, the Obamsnots are now trolling on AIM, since so much damaging information is being posted here. Their special ops also assigns trolls to Politico.com to suppress and drown out any and all pertinent questions directed to their messiah’s past. Comrade Osama Barack Hussein Obama is toast, and with him,the traitorous designs of the loony leftists and their terrorist and terrorist-supporting allies. Just watch the Demoncratic clown show in Denver, with Repeat ‘68, and all the other leftist radicals in the streets, to realize the danger that must be confronted and defeated.
dave (in a response to two posters): Do you actually think it’s clever to refer to someone as an “obamabot”?
Only if it’s accurately descriptive, which it is. I doubt that many people have forgotten the obamania that erupted repeatedly during the first half of ‘08…while O merely had to smile brightly and read prepared text from a prompter. Or how his favorite word, when denied the canned speech and prompter, seems to be “uh”, often used sequentially several times in a row, eg, “uh, uh, uh…?”
Sadly, the obamabots seem to have been programmed using Orwell’s “1984.”
You got any evidence to prove the article false… or are you just reflexively spouting the usual nonsense we’ve come to expect from you? Much like an obamabot?
Then again, as we watch the presidency slip from Obama’s grasp, I can feel your pain.
It becomes increasingly obvious that the obamabots have totally lost it when McCain barely lays a glove on The One (Paris Hilton and some other celebrity bimbo shown for a fraction of a second in an effective commercial showing that O is a celebrity, but not presidential material) in hopes of reigning in McCain.
It’s only gonna get worse for obamabots. Keep your oil can handy, tin man.
The bright side: the average American couldn’t read and understand the column above. The bad side: the average American understands only too well how lots of money can corrupt nearly everybody and everything.
Sure hope McCain picks Sen Kay B Hutchinson (R-TX) as his running mate. Personally, I don’t give him that much credit, but hope springs eternal.
Every other pick would add nothing to the ticket or is a total unknown…and I haven’t seen any that I would want to know. Romney? This would be the height of stupidity.
The election has now become McCain’s to lose. So, Obama has a fighting chance as McCain is likely to self-destruct. Then again, he’s unpredictable, so he might not act as irresponsibly as one might expect.
As I read Andrew Walden’s “Iraqi Billionaire Threatens Reporters Investigating Rezko Affair,” I thought of what AIM commenters on this site have been going through the past almost two weeks now. We could call it: “Obamabots Threaten Commenters Investigating the Prophet Obama.”
Thank you, Mr Z, Llewellyn, Tony, John Galt, cowboyup6 and voxoreason. BS and dave need to be put in their place - and frequently - and don’t forget BlackHat too. These Obamabots/Obamasnots have cowed, intimidated and threatened commenters, and anything else they could think to do in the assured hopes that the prophet Obama’s rot will not see the light of day until early November - when of course it would be too late.
McCain may be a sad sad choice, and hopefully after four years we can upgrade to better, but he is far better that the prophet Obama. We have lost ground in our fight for America these past 8 years, so losing ground 4 more years (and probably losing at a faster rate) still seems better to me then surrendering America to the leftist criminals and traitors that are hell bent on destroying our once great Republic.
the hateful incessant babble from the boring al gore, not so swift kerry, comrade obama crowd is much like the smog in LA. you simply ignore it as much as possible since it is the ugly byproduct of a free, capitalistic country.
#13 Jack…I agree, but sadly I don’t think we have four more years. It is a small niggling I have in my mind that becomes an incessant annoyance, that the Dems with the help of ACORN and other organizations that are being funded by Soros, will steal this election. I hope that feeling that I have always called my little professor is incorrect this time. Correction….I pray that it is wrong. On your last post, ignoring is fun, poking a little bit is mo fun.
THESE ARE JUST MY OPINIONS.
Intriguing article. I believe it gives rise to asking more questions.
This seems to be only ONE multi-billionaire’s quest. Are their others who might be pursuing other (economic, military, cultural/social, education, our Constitution) paths towards the decaying or destruction of the United States?
Wouldn’t it be interesting if in one of these cases, (of some ‘plaintiff’ using such English law on slander/libel/damages, whatever, to bring a case against an American author, publishing house, or any other avenue of free speech, to attempt to prevent/destroy written/published works of American authors,) if ONE ‘defendent’ would stand up and take such a case all the way to the Supreme Court for a ruling to find out if ENGLAND’S LAW is applicatble, under OUR CONSTITUTION, created for U.S. CITIZENS?
Would such a ‘plaintiff’ using England’s law
against the ‘defendent,’ under the protection of our Constitutional rights to free speech/free press WIN OR LOSE at the Supreme Court level?
Are there any such heroes left in America, willing to chance losing it all?
Is there such a hope of that happening?
Is there any hope that the Supreme Court would rule in favor of OUR Constitutional rights of
free speech or other applicable rights? Is this no longer a government OF the American PEOPLE, BY the American PEOPLE, FOR the American PEOPLE?
Isn’t that what has made American so great?
Does THAT need ‘change,’ also?
the best way to stop these thugs, is stop tuning in msnbc, cnn, stop buying nytimes, newsweek, stop going to movies that are made by traitors of this country, anyone that is on the bandwagon, of the gore scheme, and obama scheme know full well the hoax, they laugh all the way to the bank, boycott them, boycott oprah, stop watching and listening to cultists, get educated it requires some time and effort but the return is priceless dont cow down to these commys not now not ever!
The best way to get rid of harassment and nuisance lawsuits would be to adopt a “looser pays” rule. You start a lawsuit, cause expense for your opponent in defending himself, cause expense in the judicial system to hear and adjudicate your case and you ultimately fail to prove your case, you pay ALL those expenses in addition to paying your own lawyer’s expenses.
People like Auchi, Carter-Ruck, and Khalid Salim Bin Mahfouz would just go away. Well, maybe a person who has more money than they know how to use productively wouldn’t be deterred from such nuisance lawsuits.
“If a man is equal to his money, it will serve him; if not, it will destroy him.” - Fransisco d’Anconia
Yes, this huge outpouring of Obamabots to register so many to vote, and yes, I suspect all are those that would vote for Obama, scares me. I think they tried to steal the 2000 and 2004 elections, and with all their best efforts to cheat, still were unsuccessful. They whined about Gore getting rooked, but if they withdrew all the sham votes from that election, I suspect Gore would have definitely lost. I believe they will pull out ALL the stops this time, and even go overboard.
Remember Obama is part of the Chicago Democrat machine of the Daleys - and they have been rigging the votes there since the late 1800’s. There are people still voting there that died and were buried before 1900. Boss Tweed’s Tammany Hall was not even close to being as corrupt paying and beating immigrants to vote repeatedly for Democrats!
I have been following the governor’s race in Washington State as it is a repeat of the race four years ago. Gregoire the Democrat, versus Rossi the Republican (Demo lite). Democrats stole the election last time. Rossi won by a few hundred votes, Gregoire appealled, and in King County (Seattle), the Central Seattle precincts (the MOST Democratic of the entire state) were recounted and recounted. Each time, they came up with extra votes for Gregoire until she finally won, and the corrupt Washington State Supreme Court, condoned it (appointed by liberals).
And that is probably the worse part in our Republic, our NOW corrupt courts. There was a time, not all that long ago, whether they were Democrat or Republican leaning or appointed, most judges, both federal and state, were mostly uncorruptable - and we lost that. Ideology took over the reins of these “LAWYERS” and they now could care less about the law, what is right and wrong. It has even hit the US Supreme Court, in judges such as Ginsberg especially. There are certainly judges with different views such as Brewer and Souter, that are a little to left but mostly not completely ideologists, but when you get Clinton appointee Ginsberg in there you get leftist ideology in the mix.
Yes Jack….and that is why Obama is so confident that it is “in the bag” You forgot about the approx 250,000 military votes that Gore somehow got rid of. My memory is sliding on that one, but a few cells hold on the the unpleasantness of it all.
That old,sad,and hollow whine of the left about how Bush was appointed and how the cretin Gore was deprived his due, always try to use Florida as their trump card. Please do not let them forget, and remind them incessantly and without fail, that if the most detectable cause of “global warming” which is Gasbag Gore himself had been able to win his home state of Tennessee, then Florida would not have mattered. The people that know him best did not want him. I also believe that he lost southern states Arkansas and West Virginia. So much for his being abused by the Supreme Court.
Re: #13 - “...leftist criminals and traitors…”
Anybody remember “rightist criminal” VP Spiro Agnew? (Who, by the way, continually criticized “the nattering nabobs of negativity” - - even though he was one.
How about “rightist traitor” Pres. R. Nixon, who put the country through months of unending political hell for his own hoped-for personal benefit ... and the “traitors” to the country who assisted him?
And, for record-breaking criminality and national treachery, how about the administration of the infamous Pres. Warren G. Harding ... whom, I believe, was very, VERY conservative and an extreme rightist?
For every pile of crap that an ideologue can generate about the opposition ... an equally large, ideologically-based and stinking pile can be generated by the opposition. The constant competition to see who can piss bigger ideological holes in the snow is what has polarized and paralyzed this country over recent years and sent it down the road to inevitable decline!
Much of the time, the stuff on this forum sounds like a reading of the scribblings found on the walls of a padded cell!
The more the leftists claim that well-detailed investigations like this are garbage, the more I encourage others to read and examine this for themselves.
The liberals remind me of the scientologists who maintain that ANY tactics are legitimate in defense of their point of view.
I live in North Carolina where you can walk in and vote with no Id or voter registration card. We are a sanctuary town where illegals from all over American can come and buy drivers licence with out any ID except the good old American Greenback, go to our colleges for free. . Where the head of the NAACP can write an article in the news telling their members who to vote for without losing their non exempt status. So that goes to tell you who has won the primaries and who will be the Next President, you don’t need a brain to live here.
to my request as to whether calling people “obamabots” is supposed to be clever, vox sez:
“Only if it’s accurately descriptive, which it is.”
OK. It’s neither accurately descriptive (I could give a rat’s ass about Obama and his campaign) nor clever. Now where does that leave you?
also vox:
“Then again, as we watch the presidency slip from Obama’s grasp, I can feel your pain.”
Please spare me the tortured and tepid attempts at sarcasm. Again, I have no favorite in the fall race, but I’m VERY concerned regarding McCain’s foreign policy advisory team.
KBH as a veep pick for McCain is interesting. It would certainly be a poke in the Dems’ collective (get it?) eye. She is clearly considered “conservative” enough to get the call.
Jag-
“BS and dave need to be put in their place - and frequently - and don’t forget BlackHat too. These Obamabots/Obamasnots have cowed, intimidated and threatened commenters, and anything else they could think to do in the assured hopes that the prophet Obama’s rot will not see the light of day until early November - when of course it would be too late.”
I’m not a doctor, (I don’t even play one on TV) but I really think you need help. I never threatened you, I only pointed out your idiocy. But I now sense that you are quite disturbed. I apologize for antagonizing a sick man, and I will not disturb you further.
So what gives Dave? You have been antagonistic, rude to the extreme and a mirror image of a Daily Kos Kid. I have been reading your tirades, and not commenting, because frankly, you, B.S, Blackhat and Mark bore the fire out of me…..and whoever else comes on here or is part of the Obama bums rush team and tries to monopolize and intimidate. Jack is not Jag, and whoever else you blast. You have come on to this sight and told everyone off for how and what they believe and then get frustrated and start whining. Go blow Dave or Mark or Brian or whoever you are. Join your gang somewhere else. Go where you belong. Huff Post is a good beginning. Have someone accept you somewhere else. It ain’t happnin here. I will pray for your sorry ass because I am supposed to. Doesn’t make me real happy tho.
John Galt,
For years there have been efforts in a number of states to pass “Loser Pays” laws with regard to lawsuits but the pettifogger lobbies have been too powerful. Another law which exists in some states is one penalizing frivolous lawsuits but it’s rarely enforced. I’d like to see it extended beyond paying the other side. Such a law should state that a lawyer or firm being found guilty of such a transgression three times have their right to practice law suspended or terminated depending on the severity of the cases.
dave notes about my suggestion that Sen Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) be McCain’s vp choice:
>>KBH as a veep pick for McCain is interesting. It would certainly be a poke in the Dems’ collective (get it?) eye. She is clearly considered “conservative” enough to get the call.
Obama picked FOI (Friend of Iran) Joe Biden (who will no doubt be a topic of a future AIM column), which wasn’t too bright.
BTW, some may have deduced that I am female because I suggested a female vp. Nope. I’m male, but don’t have a problem with a female veep. All the male choices are poor, but I don’t put anything past McCain: he’s just dumb/stubborn enough to pick a running mate as bad as Obama’s.
Ah, Julie, Julie, Julie!-
“I have been reading your tirades, and not commenting, because frankly, you, B.S, Blackhat and Mark bore the fire out of me”
translation: you’re not in lock step with the other right wing automotons who post here one-handed. “And yet you claim to read my posts. Fascinating!)
“.....and whoever else comes on here or is part of the Obama bums rush team and tries to monopolize and intimidate.”
To those for whom facts are intimidating I offer no solution. This is your problem, not mine.
“Jack is not Jag, and whoever else you blast.”
Yeah, he is. Jagoff is much more in the vernacular than jackoff. Jag is my simplification.
“You have come on to this sight (sic)and told everyone off for how and what they believe and then get frustrated and start whining.”
I’ve whined? I don’t think so. And I don’t tell people off for what they believe, I take them to task for blind faith and failure to educate themselves. The whole “republican: good, democrat: bad” thing is very sad to see. When I was a teen, during the Viet Nam “police action”, the phrase was “My country, right or wrong.” It was apparently meant without irony, and even as wet behind the ears as I was I KNEW that was wrong. Still is.
“Go blow Dave or Mark or Brian or whoever you are. Join your gang somewhere else. Go where you belong. Huff Post is a good beginning. Have someone accept you somewhere else. It ain’t happnin here.”
heh heh heh. In other words, you won’t/don’t listen to any point(s) of view other than your own. Thanks for the headsup, but I already gleaned that. I’m kinda savvy like that.
“I will pray for your sorry ass because I am supposed to. Doesn’t make me real happy tho.”
Gee thanks. What I need is the prayers of a goose-stepping alleged Christian. (I seriously doubt Jesus ever suggested that you pray for anyone’s “sorry ass”, unless it was the donkey they rode in on.) And are you supposed to pray in order to make you happy?
I take them to task for blind faith and failure to educate themselves.
So typical of lefty crap Dave….and if they don’t march in lockstep with your educational diatribe you call them demeaning names. Blah blah blah blah
You are going to love Marxism Dave if The Obamessiah gets elected. Historically the useful idiots are the first to go. Heh heh heh heh
“You are going to love Marxism Dave if The Obamessiah gets elected. Historically the useful idiots are the first to go. Heh heh heh heh”
You have some serious blind spots.
Not only will the useful idiots at Sullivan’s IP love how marxists PURGE them at the get go, but the National Socialists of Hitler did the same. In fact, history has many examples of the PURGES that the Marxist/Socialist/Communists reward their minions with after they get the power, and they especially purge those that have inflated egos and think they are more than they really are. They purge because these idiots are really a threat to them and their consolidation of power in their hands.
Buh bye - BS, dave, faux ann, BlackHat, and your other manifestations Sullivan lol
And I guess you don’t…..Have blind spots? You Dave are a Socialist. All Dems are Socialist/Marxist now. It has never worked anywhere else and even the socialism we have adopted slowly for almost a century has been what has taken us down the economic tubes. But, you Mr. Blind spot wouldn’t catch onto that if it slapped you in the face. Yes…...there have been other economic mistakes…but going full blown socialism with Marxism mixed in. Say goodbye to your home Dave….you won’t like it.
Thanks for the question on “Mr.” Hansen. I consider that a compliment. My husband would consider it amusing.
Thank you Julie, that was my thought exactly that it is an honor.
I find it typically liberal though that they always accuse others of what they do - AIM has traced many on this site to Sullivan’s IP, and frankly, I guess I was a bit naive in that as I had not even considered such until I was seeing it with my own eyes. Also typically liberal, they will do and say ANYTHING to force feed their rot - the ends justify the means to these perverts. And now, typically liberal, they say we are doing what they do.
Me thinks the sickness and rot comes from the left and the rot is so deep they cannot see as they rot before their own eyes. lol
Thanks for hanging in there Jack. Good to see you. I like this spot. But, as long as aim puts out these articles that shed light on the Obamessiah we will have the Obamaguards manning the blogging tanks. Check out Malkins site. She has written about Obamas minions going after the bloggers. This is an example. I can’t even imagine the blowback I am going to get after mentioning her name. Their insults do not affect me in the least and I am not letting them run me off. They will find another place to go eventually.
Projection…It is actually a personality disorder. I have a relative that is a really sick narcissist. Everything he does and says is projection. Mr. BS is really a Narcissist with his incessant puffing like a peacock. His obsession with venereal diseases really makes me chuckle. Is that his problem? Brian…see a doctor soon. The Dem/socialists lie like dogs then turn around and accuse the Republicans of lying when the facts have already been put out there. The lie covers the facts so often that the truth disappears. But isn’t that part of the program?....Tell a lie long enough and people begin to see it as the truth. Dave keeps talking about facts…....what facts?
“And I guess you don’t…..Have blind spots?”
Sure I do.
“You Dave are a Socialist.”
So wrong you’re not even on the map.
“All Dems are Socialist/Marxist now.”
A preposterous broad-brush stroke that shows your absolute lack of critical thinking skills.
“It has never worked anywhere…”
That is essentially true. See? We agree.
“But, you Mr. Blind spot wouldn’t catch onto that if it slapped you in the face.”
So far, no slap.
“Yes…...there have been other economic mistakes…but going full blown socialism with Marxism mixed in. Say goodbye to your home Dave….you won’t like it.”
Hyperbole and paranoia: perfect together!
Julie O: Their insults do not affect me in the least and I am not letting them run me off. They will find another place to go eventually.
Good for you!
But put yourself in your typical “progressive” (they use this term instead of “socialists” to define themselves; same thing spelled differently) poster’s place: if you had to spend your time reading the spew at liberal sites, wouldn’t you prefer to be here, too?
Conservative sites reprint posts (with lots of #%&* characters to replace words that they won’t print) from liberal sites. If you call any republican a Nazi or Hitler, you make their “A” list. At conservative sites, you’re more likely to find true and useful information.
Note how the worst offenders here ALWAYS have this air of smug superiority? They’re on the “Dean’s” list at liberal blogs.
“... AIM has traced many on this site to Sullivan’s IP ...” -Jack
Jack, look up “Network Address Translation” on wikipedia. Many Internet Service Providers NAT RFC 1918 addresses to a single or small number of routable IP addresses.
jack h-
“AIM has traced many on this site to Sullivan’s IP…”
You’re making this up, correct?
vox-
“But put yourself in your typical “progressive” (they use this term instead of “socialists” to define themselves…”
Interesting “thought”. Making these words synonomous suggests that you feel progressive thinking, which should be considered a GOOD thing, carries a decidedly pejorative connotation. VERY interesting.
Yeah, dave, and liberalism in America was once a good thing also as was progressiveism - but then unfortunately, the far left of the Democrat Party took the handle and totally destroyed all that had been good about these American movements, as their way of being liberal was either socialistic or communistic. Recently, they have so discredited the word liberal and liberalism, that they decided to call themselves by a new handle - so we hear them saying progressives. But sorry, dave, these new “progressives” are just the same old “liberals” which means they are just worthless socialists/communists. So yes, voxoreason has it pegged perfectly
Dave….Progressive in lieu of socialism/communism began in the early 20th century. Yes…making progress should be a good thing…but the term progressive, a noun is a person believing in moderate political change and social improvement by Government action. Such as members of the Progressive Party running in the Presidential campaigns of 1912, 1924, and 1948. The Progressives have become far more radical since 1948 looking more like the Marxist that tutored the Obamessiah. This is because they were a part of the CPUSA that received their marching orders from the Kremlin. So, for those of us that see the damage Marxism has caused and will cause (Maxine Waters wants to Socialise the Oil Companies)the word is to us….perjorative
I was cheering for Maxine “nobody’s more socialistic than me” Waters to be Barack’s VP choice. Wouldn’t that have been fun? lol
Oh Lord help us. I could never watch t.v. again! Could you imagine Hils reaction…LOL over and over
Gee, I guess if you say “all Dems are Socialists/Marxists” and “progressives are really Socialists/Marxists”, it MUST be true, because you keep saying it OVER AND OVER.
You don’t back it up with a scintilla of evidence, mind you, but you make up for that with repetition.
Jack or Vox could you take over this first grade class for me. Don’t let Brian hit Carol with his book or take over the class…Dave needs to study current events to learn what makes up a socialist and socialism again…Vox you did that so well earlier and of course Jack you are a current event specialist. I know this is a burden but I am running late for an appointment. Thanks guys.
JulieO-
“Jack or Vox could you take over this first grade class for me.”
outta the mouths of babes…
“Dave needs to study current events to learn what makes up a socialist and socialism again…”
I’m conversant. You’ve missed the point. again.
and again.
“I know this is a burden but I am running late for an appointment.”
Not, we can safely assume, a MENSA meeting…
Back!
Having fun with you Dave. At least for the most part you are being less abusive and crude. I say all Dems are Socialist, because if they call themselves Democrats and vote Democrat they are socialists. Why? That is what I find so elementary Dave and why I was being a smart ass.
1. High taxation= Redistribution of wealth..Even the dimmest economist knows that low taxes builds the economy. The only reason for high taxation is to equalize the populace. To lessen their influence/threat on the powerful Government.
2. Nationalization of Companies…Maxine’s Dream
3. Regulation and taxation of private enterprise
4. Obamas dream of a National Civil Police force. As Vox said, “The Brownshirts”
5. Socialized Medicine…We can experience the same Horrors as the Canadians, Brits, French, Cubans etc. I’m excited aren’t you? So much for all the World Renowned Medical Centers and Universities.
6. First Amendment gone by the way of The Unfairness Doctrine.
7. Gun ownership be gone
Why don’t you see or grasp what we are talking about Dave? These are things we don’t want to lose. This is not the change we want to have. We live in the greatest Country in the World. Yes, she has had her faults, her growing pains. So did England, so did France…so has every Country on earth. Our mistakes are minor in comparison. But the I hate America crowd just crows louder. The Democrat Party is now the Socialist Party Dave. They have almost started admitting it. Maxine came out and said it. Why can’t you?
“Having fun with you Dave.”
That makes it all worth while for me.
“At least for the most part you are being less abusive and crude.”
Again, I give what I get. If you look at any of the threads I’ve been on, you’ll see that I ask a question THEN get called commie/libby/socialist/obamabot etc. I riposte. That’s how I am.
“I say all Dems are Socialist, because if they call themselves Democrats and vote Democrat they are socialists.”
Are you a tautology professor?
“1. High taxation= Redistribution of wealth..Even the dimmest economist knows that low taxes builds the economy. The only reason for high taxation is to equalize the populace. To lessen their influence/threat on the powerful Government.”
that’s one take. there are many. It ain’t socialism.
“2. Nationalization of Companies…Maxine’s Dream”
I don’t think it’s a plank in the Dem platform.
“3. Regulation and taxation of private enterprise”
You want all private enterprise to be free of regulation? That could be ugly. And while my reaction to the WAY the government spends our tax money is likely VERY similar to yours, I’m OK with companies paying for the privilege of making piles of money.
“4. Obamas dream of a National Civil Police force. As Vox said, “The Brownshirts” “
I dunno. Something like “Homeland Security?” Is that bad?
“5. Socialized Medicine…We can experience the same Horrors as the Canadians, Brits, French, Cubans etc. I’m excited aren’t you? So much for all the World Renowned Medical Centers and Universities.”
Our health care system is as sick as a plane to Lourdes. I don’t know if socialization will fix it, but I also don’t know if it could make it worse.
“6. First Amendment gone by the way of The Unfairness Doctrine.”
I need to know more about this one. It certainly won’t result in “first amendment GONE”, for crying out loud.
“7. Gun ownership be gone “
I don’t see that happening, either; it’s an overreaction. But while you’re mentioning the second amendment, it says “arms”, not guns. Are you okay with just plain folks keeping rocket launchers and grenades? (I’m not saying I’m not, just asking)
“Why don’t you see or grasp what we are talking about Dave? These are things we don’t want to lose. This is not the change we want to have.”
Again this smacks of severe over-reaction, seriously out of proportion.
“We live in the greatest Country in the World.”
Agreed. Not perfect, but light years ahead of whoever can claim second place.
“The Democrat Party is now the Socialist Party Dave. They have almost started admitting it. Maxine came out and said it. Why can’t you?”
I’m not sure what you’re referring to, but she doesn’t speak for me.
A Suggestion
Since Obama’s February primary victories, a fear has risen in the African-American community. More recently, similar concerns have drawn the attention of the FBI and Secret Service. In both cases, worries center on the possible assassination of Obama.
A growing amount of racist hate mail and blogs has already suggested good cause for such apprehension. But now, the arrests of Shawn Adolf, Tharin Gartrell and Nathan Johnson, as well as the unrelated conviction and sentencing of David Tuason, have pushed such issues into general public awareness. I do NOT accuse AIM and many of the bloggers reacting to its anti-Obama tirades of any legal wrong doing. I DO suggest a measure of self-restraint.
Recent comments by Nana, Hansen, cowboyup6, Oscar Y. Harward, Julie O, JayMar, Jhn Blake andTim contain the following references to Obama: “arrogant ass,” “American traitor,” “Osambama,” “a true closet muslim and marxist,” “dirtier than a pig in a mud puddle,” “Osama Obama,” “Barry’s Marxist promises,” “Barry Obama,” “Sheik Obama,” “anti-American,” “treasonous snake,” “creep” and “[not] a good American.” Other AIM bloggers have avoided such moronic insults but still have accused Obama of evil intentions and wicked associations.
All such comments enjoy First Amendment protection. None constitute actionable threats nor place any of the above-named in any legal jeopardy. However, they contribute to a miasma of paranoia and hatred. Thus, they raise questions of moral responsibility.
Remember the atmosphere of nonsensical conspiracy theories, vicious remarks, unfounded fears, accusations of treason etc. that surrounded people like Timothy McVeigh and many in the so-called Militia Movement some dozen or so years ago. McVeigh and Nichols alone (it seems) acted on such groundless imbecility. But the horrible murders they committed were at least partially motivated by that kind of “thinking.”
Those of you that do so have every right to express anti-Obama sentiments. You have the right to believe and give vent to almost any statement in his regard, however meritless. BUT I STRONGLY SUGGEST AWARENESS OF POSSIBLE RAMIFICATIONS. It is in nobody’s interest to foment assassination fantasies in the minds of the unstable. It would be even more dangerous to inspire - however unintended - the tiny number of individuals prepared to act on such expressions of deranged hostility and unfounded fears. ANY OF YOU ARE FREE UNDER OUR LAWS TO EXPRESS YOUR OPINIONS. But please, for your sake and the good of our nation, consider the possible consequences.
There are some sensible ideological reasons to oppose Obama’s election. There are, in my opinion, many more to support him for president. In either case, however, reason and logic should prevail. Too much of what has and is appearing on AIM goes beyond logic, facts and common sense, and into the realm of bizarre paranoid fantasies. If any harm - even if only distantly related to such comments - should befall Obama, his wife and their two young daughters, that would raise the question of moral responsibility, however beyond legal implications. The murder of outstanding African-Americans has hardly been unknown in American history. While our society is much less racist than before, pools of the old poison continue to fester here and there. Who knows what might arise from such attitudes after the nomination of the first African-American for president by a major party.I don’t think any of us want to witness a contemporary imitator of James Earl Ray. I certainly hope not.
SO, FOR LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY AND DECENT, CONSIDER THAT WORDS HAVE CONSEQUENCES - WHATEVER THEIR ENUNCIATORS INTENDED.
BRIAN: “that everyone will be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” -Martin Luther King Jr
I may not have the exact words above as I am quoting it from memory but its really close. You start by bringing up three people that Colorado authorities have already stated very firmly had NOTHING to do with Obama - that was media hype because they were on the edge of the Denver Metro area. But I will agree, anyone in the public scrutiny as is Obama will certainly attract crack pots wishing him harm and is the reason the FBI and Secret Service watch them so closely. And McCain is getting the same.
After listening to the pure hate coming from the left about W for over 8 years, and you start by once again doing the Obama thing and dropping the race card, when not ONE racist thing has been said about him that I can remember on this site.
Then you warn us repeatedly about words that are common words used to describe someone Conservatives on this site DO NOT LIKE as if they are wrong words.
They are not wrong words to use, they are reasonable words to use about a man that we do actually see as a traitor to what America has been and he and his minions have actively been trying to “change” that and as we see he is trying to run this Republic down a path to ruin.
Yes, you are correct, it IS free speech, and in our opinions he is that man we use the adjectives to describe. I have heard worse elsewhere, and I have certainly heard worse when it comes to Bush, and I don’t even like Bush, and I don’t like McCain - but worse has come from the left than usually comes from the right.
The adjectives you use are mostly mild and YOU KNOW THAT. You suggest that you are trying to shame use into using other words flattering to Obama? Won’t happen - he is an empty suit, a con man, a sham, a cad, a snake oil salesman - he is the worst thing that could happen to America. I have little good to say about the Clinton’s but he is worse than if Hillary were the nominee. And by rights she should have been the one winning. Your corrupt party manipulated your own process to get him in.
Hillary could have beaten McCain, Obama will not win, and we will do whatever it takes to make sure he does not, and if calling him a muslim lover, which he is, such as Osamaobama is what it takes over and over again, so be it.
This is a man who covers up his relationship with people that should still be in prison for terrorism and for treason - yet they have walked free because they are leftist darlings. This is a man that went to a racist church for over 20 years - the words on public TV coming out of the mouth of Wright ARE hate words, and every single example you used above are VERY mild in comparison to what we say on this site.
Oh, and yes, he IS an arrogant ass, the way he struts says that.
And the ONLY racism I have seen in this campaign has come from the mouth of Obama repeatedly as he drops the race card to shut up those he opposes, and the only racist words were from his despicable church and pastor, and that Catholic priest who should have been ex-communicated, and he is there at that church at their invitation, and leads a congregation that is obviously just as racist as is Obama’s church. The Archbishop of Chicago should have shown this stain on the church to the cathedral door and booted him out.
I just looked at the list of words that in your PC mind you see as offensive. I see nothing on that list that go to far, though the one about the pig in the puddle comes close in my mind, but I never remember seeing that comment, though I will not challenge it, as if you say you saw it here, then it probably was. But that is the only word I would question.
He is a marxist, and sheik Obama is mild compared to what Americans think of the Muslims that hate us, and it doesn’t help him when he has the clearly Muslim middle name of Hussein. And as for Barry Obama - excuse me Brian, but that is his nickname given to him by himself.
In fact, your diatribe will probably only incite commenters to use the MILD language even more, I predict, as Conservatives HATE to be told what are the PC approved words, and what is not PC. Conservatives will use the NON PC words everytime. Authoritarion states tell their people what is accepted speech and what is not, and those telling us that are the worse offenders and actually DO use offensive language - and they are called liberals.
You want us to show tolerance, and as every single Conservative knows, the MOST intolerant people in America ARE the liberals. And you should know that Brian, as the most intolerant people on this site are YOU, DAVE, and BLACKHAT. You know every single word in the Thesaurus to describe Conservatives as ignorant for what they believe. It is your intolerance of us, and your offensive words telling us smugly how ignorant we are, that started problems on this site. It is your cowing, your intimidation, and your veiled and some unveiled threats that is intolerable.
So don’t preach to us about tolerance, we know what we think of Obama, and WE WILL SAY IT, and say it often, and you can continue to tell us how ignorant we are, and we will see you as the truly ignorant one here. Don’t even think you should cast the first stone after what you have said about people on this site.
Dear Master Hansen,
To go through what you have written and point out every piece of nonsense, irrational thinking, falsehood, and self-contradictory attempts at argument would take far more time than I care to devote to the exercise. But I will point out a few of your mindless statements.
1) Having convinced yourself that lies told about Obama are true, you defend the repeating of them. But if they were true, surely what is obvious to you would alos long ago have come to the attention of the CIA, FBI and other such agencies. Do you think that if any such nonsense had been established as true, it would not have been made public? Consider how the Bush administration has used other information that should have remained classified? But perhaps YOU should report such matters to the FBI. I urge you to do so. After all, if you think Obam is a threat to all you revere, isn’t it your duty to bring that to the attention of the authorities? I would suggest yu contact the agent you already have in my regard.
2) I am a loss to understand the argument that if others say or do bad things, that somehow gives you license to do the same.
3)My “corrupt party.” What makes you think I am a Democrat? That is quite extraordinary. Did it ever occur to you that I reject your nonsensical ideas about liberals because they are not true. I have done so in every other such regard. I was especialy astounded when you called me a Nazi. I replied with a general definition of what the word meant. Did that mean I was defending Nazis? Do you think that I and that noblest of men, Fred Miles, agree about anything?
4) Are you a Catholic? If you are, your sure exhibit amazing ignorance of the powers of an archbishop. If not, do you think it appropriate to state what the head of the archdiosces of Chicago should or should not do?
5) My middle name is Robert. I bear it because one of my aunts was a nun called Sister Mary Robertine. In turn, she took the name in honor of Roberto Belarmino, the Jesuit Cardinal appointed to that honor by Clement VIII. Bellarmino played a major role - if not the major role - in the sentence that the Roman Inquisition imposed on Galileo. Does that mean I believe that the sun rotates around the earth? Just as I don’t recall taking that name for myself (I was about a week old at the time) I doubt that Obama chose to adopt the name “Hussein.”
6) Do you know what giving the name “Hussein” implies and what that suggests about his ATHEIST father? Your “logic” could be applied like this: Stalin’s father gave his son the name Josef. Josef is both a Jewish name and a Christian name. Josef Stalin was educated in an Orthodox seminary. Therefore, Stalin was either a Christian or a Jew pretnnding to be one.
7) As so often in the past, you either can’t understand or can’t remember what I wrote. I didn’t call for tolerance. I suggested common sense. I didn’t use “Politically Correct” arguments. I did point out the possible consequences of stating stupidities.
8)I remain astounded that you think I am a liberal. I’m a conservative in most of my political opinions. But I don’t think that liberals who disagree with me are evil or part of some vast conspiracy.
9) I have “cast the first stone”? How? Have I described McCain in the terms you and others have described Obama? Has anything I have written be even vaguely considered an incitement to unstable minds to carry out an assassination? What I have done is to point out ignorance, stupidity, irrationality, and the replacement of logic by emotion. I urge you and others to do the same.
Jack-
“Oh, and yes, he IS an arrogant ass, the way he struts says that.”
Wow! Someone’s threatened by a handsome, confident black man! (hint: it’s YOU!)
“He is a marxist,...”
your understanding of Marxism is poverty stricken…
“and sheik Obama is mild compared to what Americans think of the Muslims that hate us…”
WTF does that have to do with Obama?
“In fact, your diatribe will probably only incite commenters to use the MILD language even more, I predict, as Conservatives HATE to be told what are the PC approved words…”
Amazing. Is that the nyah nyah doctrine?
Great response Jack….when I read Brians threatning diatribe on how WE should pick and choose our words carefully and not insult the Obamessiah I got a cold chill.
Anyone that threatens to harm one hair on any politicians head needs to be punished. Words that have been used on this site have not one time even come close to that. It is Brian and his arrogant intolerance that gives me the chill. His warnings are a threat. He has some serious control issues that go along perfectly with his Narcissim. I was raised in a very Catholic town. I had many Catholic friends that attended all Catholic Private schools. Don’t know one that came out without some form of neurosis. The Nuns cracking the knuckles with rulers back in those days really did some damage. Just one of the forms of punishment. I remember the stories well.
I was just accused of fomenting hatred against the chosen one, most likely by an Obama troll, since my description of him as a closet muslim and marxist is spot on. No, I will not refrain from speaking the truth. Where is the protest against the leftist loons and their completely over-the-top obscene and violent slanders against any and all for McCain, or even just non-Obambots. No, this unsigned post is bogus, unless and until they also protest against the extremist left like Daily Kos, Huffington Post, Moveon,Org., CPUSA, and their useful idiots. This is not a party about nice, but rather one for the literal soul of this country. Comrade Osama Barack Hussein Obama and his supporters, at least most of them, are the biggest danger threatening our Republic. The unbalanced kooks seem to be predominately on the left, so aim your sermons there friend.
Dear Ms. O,
As a special favor to me, please quote (accurately) what words of mine constitute threats. But also, as another favor, read my previous blog s-l-o-w-l-y and try to understand my point.
Do I need to point out that your anti-Catholicism is shameful? May the Founder of the Catholic Church forgive you.
By the way, do you also share the religious opinions of that great champion of decency, the Honorable Fred Miles?
JulieO-
“Great response Jack….when I read Brians threatning diatribe on how WE should pick and choose our words carefully and not insult the Obamessiah I got a cold chill.”
Like when you were little and your mom told you to “play nice”? Was that your cue to do the opposite, as Jack suggests?
Oh, and there’s a vast difference between a reasoned admonition and a “threatening diatribe”.
Brian’s was an example of the former.
Julie O: There was nothing in your post that was anti-Catholic, except in Sullivan’s pathetic mind. And in fact, in his case, the nuns just may have made him the sick worm that he is. I have heard worse stories from being raised in a strict Catholic upbringing.
Now, I will state that I was raised as a Catholic, consider myself a Catholic ala a Roman Catholic, and not an adherer of the American Catholic way of being a Catholic. Coming from a small town, we did not have a Catholic school, though we did see nuns in the summer at Catholic school for three weeks. In fact, the first year I went, I screamed “a witch” when seeing a nun in her full habit and ran home. lol The nun nearly laughed herself to death.
And yes, Brian, even though you like to think yourself the resident authority on all things Catholic, most of what you spout are plain lies. The Archbishop of Chicago does have the right to end the sick Catholic Priest’s pastorship at his parish, he has just chosen not to do so, as is typical of the American Catholic church. I went to the Archdiocese’s website when I first heard that despicable priest’s racist rants at Wright’s church. The Archbishop stated he had investigated it and put the Priest on short leash and one more transgression and he would be kaput. And obviously the Archbishop lied, because the priest has made further transgressions and he is still there - but I expect that from the American Catholic Church that seems to think they do not have to adher to Rome. Pope Benedict would have shown the priest to his cathedral door and kicked him squarely through it. Racism is racism, and that priest is a racist.
I know there wasn’t Jack. I have no reason to be anti-Catholic. I am probably more anti-Presbyterian now since that is how I was raised. If it had not been for the Catholic Church, I could have been an entirely different person. I was Raised by two parents that did not want another child, so at times I just needed someone to listen. I would walk down two short blocks to St. Patrick Cathedral when I needed to talk or have some feeling of God which was not in my home except on Sunday morning. The Priests were always there for me when I needed them, even though I was not Catholic. Never in my life even now as a born again Christian have I ever had negative feelings toward Catholism. The events were very true with my friends, some who still bear the effects. Brian is such an opportunistic blowhard. Just like those lunatics that accuse one of being racist because they say something negative about Obama. Piss on you Brian for your unfounded stupid allegations based on precious little information. And you think you are so damned smart.Pffftt
“Never in my life even now as a born again Christian have I ever had negative feelings toward Catholism”
other than observing that every one you knew who went to Catholic school emerged with ‘some sort of neurosis’...
“Piss on you Brian for your unfounded stupid allegations based on precious little information. And you think you are so damned smart.”
Not very Christian, methinks. And “precious little information”??? Your blinders are on too tight!
“Pffftt”
well put!
Dear Ms. O,
So the following words of your do not refelct anti-Catholic animus? ” I was raised in a very Catholic town. I had many Catholic friends that attended all Catholic Private schools. Don’t know one that came out without some form of neurosis. The Nuns cracking the knuckles with rulers back in those days really did some damage. Just one of the forms of punishment. I remember the stories well.” They sure strike me that way.
Are you put here on this earth to aggravate people Dave? Is it your job to take apart a sentence paragraph by paragraph so you can prove something is wrong with what they are saying? You have a real big emotional problem Dave. You weren’t even a part of this conversation you terminal jerk…or are you really a part of Brians split personality and don’t have one of your own. My interaction with you is done Bozo
Dear Master Hansen,
Whehter or not you would like it to be so, there really is only One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Furthermore, the contradictory remarks you made about the situation inside the Archdiocese of Chicago and Benedict XVI’s impotence to do anything about it is either hilarious or nonsensical, depending on how one analyses your words. The present Supreme Pontiff speks fluent English, reads English with ease and frequently watches TV news broadcasts from the US. He is certainly following the present election campaign carefully and with considerable knowledge of the US. After all, he visited this country frequently before he arose to the papacy and has been here recently as pope. Finally, he has a papal nuncio in Washington who reports to him frequently on the events within the American branch of the Church. So your strange fantasy about Benedict XVI’s inability to do anything about Father Whatshisname only reflects your wishful thinking: “If only the pope knew what was going on in Chicago!” But he does. It’s you that doesn’t.
About the best I can do for you, son of darkness is to offer you the following:
On a starred night Prince Lucifer uprose.
Tired of his dark dominion swung the fiend
Above the rolling ball in cloud part screened,
Where sinners hugged their spectre of repose.
Poor prey to his hot fit of pride were those.
And now upon his western wing he leaned,
Now his huge bulk o’er Afric’s sands careened,
Now the black planet shadowed Arctic snows.
Soaring through wider zones that pricked his scars
With memory of the old revolt from Awe,
He reached a middle height, and at the stars,
Which are the brain of heaven, he looked, and sank.
Around the ancient tracked marched, rank on rank,
The army of unalterable law.
Done any star-gazing lately, Master Hansen? Going to try to catch some repose tonight? Buona fortuna.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to hisfaith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Brian, you need to go back and re-read my post. I clearly said that the Pope CAN do something about it. The Archbishop can also do something about it, said he would if it happened again, and then when it happened again, he did nothing, so he lied.
Now, if it had happened in Rome, I clearly stated that Pope Benedict would use his papal boot to kick father Wahtshis name out the front door of St Peter’s.
Now, when you add to the argument, I would suggest that the Pope is perhaps not doing anything in the present as precedent has shown that unless things get really out of control in a large nation that has such a huge Catholic structure, like the US, he allows the hierarchy within the nation to handle the situation - the Pope is not known to be a micromanager.
And that is what I have a problem with the Catholic Church in America. Abortion is against Catholic teachings, but the NUMEROUS politicians in America that are Catholic and are also supportive of abortion is significant. Why the very hierarchy of the Democrat Party is nearly all Catholic now, and they are for even partial birth abortion, yet the church in America turns a blind eye to this and allows them Communion. The Archbishop of Denver has just stated that Pelosi should not be taking Communion, but I will bet ya a dollar that the next time she is in church, she will take Communion, and the corrupt hierarchy within the American Catholic church will say and do nothing.
That is just one example between the church of Rome and the American Catholic Church. The Pope DOES need to start doing some micromangaing in America and clean up the mess, and all us non-practicers just might come back - and the number of non-practicing Catholics, I would suggest, is very very large, and I would also suggest, it is mostly because the American Catholic Church allows things that are clearly anti-Catholic.
Hahahahahaha - you sick twisted liberals WILL say and do anything.
dave - what would Jesus post - Jesus would not post anything that you post, and Jesus would tell you that when you enter a Conservative leaning site that you are their guest and not their master, with some God given right to antagonize and intimidate - and perhaps you should leave when it is evident that you are not wanted. But when was the last time that a liberal gave a damn what Jesus wanted - after all you have your hands full removing every vestige of Jesus and religion from American culture and society. What our forefathers and foremothers knew to be what would sustain the health of the Republic, the spiritual beliefs of the people, you and the other sick liberals know better than them, and have decided what worked for over 200 years has to go and go quick.
WE on the site have told you to take your toys child and go home, and now Jesus is saying the same thing and still you can’t take a H I N T!!!
What a putz!
He has already posted Dave..
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
JUlieJUlieJUlie-
“Are you put here on this earth to aggravate people Dave?”
If that’s what the creator wants. I’m just a vessel…
“Is it your job to take apart a sentence paragraph by paragraph so you can prove something is wrong with what they are saying?”
No, but I’ll take a paragraph apart sentence by sentence and I do it for free.
“You have a real big emotional problem Dave.”
Ah, if I had only ONE!
“You weren’t even a part of this conversation you terminal jerk…”
terminal jerk: an ohnoxious type who frequents bus and train stations.
“or are you really a part of Brians split personality and don’t have one of your own.”
This is weird, even for YOU.
“My interaction with you is done Bozo”
Blessed are the bozos, for they shall inherit the whole damn circus!
Dear Master Hansen,
I read what you wrote extremely carefully, not once but several times.
Where did you get the notion that Benedict XVI (Josef Ratzinger) is not a micromanager? Do you have any idea of his service under John Paul II? It seems not. More to the point, do you think he is unaware of what has happened in Chicago, especially in the context of the present presidential election campaign? It seems you know litle or nothing about the present functioning of the Holy See. Tell me, how much time have you spent in Rome lately, if ever? Do you have any friends in the curia? I very much doub it.
I lived in Rome for two years in the 1970s and visit it at least once a year. I’ll be there again for several weeks this October. And I am close to some of those who are part of the Vatican bureaucracy, both laity and clergy. You know not about what state. But you really are an opinionated ignoramus.
Brian-
“On a starred night Prince Lucifer uprose.
Tired of his dark dominion swung the fiend…”
Have you ever heard of the writings of one Dr. Immanuel Velikovsky? He has some interesting takes, to say the least, on identifying Lucifer.
Jack….Don’t you find it amusing that the Liberals love to throw out the question..What would Jesus do? If they read the book…they would realize it has already been done. Final curtain on this play coming soon. These last posts of mine have had their purpose Jack. I trust you know what that purpose is.
JulieO
apparently your blinders prevented you from seeing that I was merely showing that for someone who professes to be a Christian, you were posting distinctly un-Christian remarks. That’s all. I suspect you STILL don’t get it.
The fact that you’re apparently a “rapture"ist does not surprise me one bit.
Dear Dave,
I’m only vaguely aware of Velikovksy’s writings. My favorite Russian author on the subject of evil in general and Satan in particular is Mikhail Bulgakov. I like “Heart of a Dog” but really admire “The Master and Margerita.” The scene in which Lucifer performs what his audience of atheist Bolsheviks think are just sleight of hand tricks is, to me, the funniest thing I have ever read - especially when the Prince of Darkness reveals his “tricks” are for real. Just last year, one of the Russian TV channels boradcast a mini-series based on the book. I hope to get a copy with subtitles because my Russian freinds thought it ws very good. Unfortunately, I can’t read Russian.
No Dave…I was not posting un-Christian remarks. What you say and what I post have nothing to do with one another. Case in point…
The fact that you’re apparently a “rapture"ist does not surprise me one bit.
Who said one thing about the Rapture?
JulieO-
I guess when I saw you write “Final curtain on this play coming soon.” I surmised the endtimes were being referenced. I still think that’s the case.
Dave, you taught yourself a lesson. I hope you got it.
Yes, I believe in the end times. I believe in The Bible is the word of God. The end times are mentioned many many times. But, am I a Rapture"ist”? Some Christians believe in The Rapture, some do not, some are on the fence. I am none of those really. I look for the signs of Christ, but not being hauled up into the heavens. I am a Christian….full stop. Not a Rapturist. Never heard of that term Rapturist.
Dave, you and Brian have twisted and turned my words to the shape you want. I never said anything against Catholism. I told the truth about what happened in the 50’s and 60’s in Parochial schools. Do reporters that report the news about animal cruelty hate animals? Crap happened back in those times, and some of my friends paid the price. If Brian is touchy about the truth, oops I hit a nerve. Still, it doesn’t mean I hate Catholics. You are not stupid Dave, but I believe you think it is more important for to dig at someone in these threads and look like a big intimidating smart guy than to be thoughtful about what you are saying. I could spend hours taking you apart sentence by sentence. What would that prove to me or anyone else?
That I have too much time on my hands. My productivity is more important to me than playing gotcha.
Dear Ms. O,
I pose a question for you which I hope that you will consider carefully, If you read the very end of the Gospel of John, the writer states quite clearly that the gospels describe only a fraction of the things Jesus said and did. We have few sources apart from the gospels on the life of Jesus. They don’t add a great deal of additional information.
But consider two passages the gospels do contain. 1) Jesus said; “I don’t bring peace but a sword.” 2) When Jesus was arrested in the garden, Peter pulled out his own sword and cut off the ear of one of the thugs working for the Temple leadership.
Wasn’t Jesus a total pacifist? What was Peter, the man Jesus chose as the leader of the apostles, doing with a sword? Being the Son of God, Jesus had to have known Peter was carrying a weapon. Why didn’t He chastise him for that and demand Peter get rid of the sword before he could commit any violence? Why did Jesus wait until after Peter sliced off the henchman’s ear - which must have hurt like the blazes - before intervening?
I raise these points because I don’t think you really understand what Jesus’ message was and what he was trying to teach us.
But, please, consider these questions and respond.
“McCain may be a sad sad choice, and hopefully after four years we can upgrade to better,”
Nah, you won’t be “upgrading to better,” fool. Who do you think you’re kidding? You could have “upgraded to better” THIS TIME, but you blew it - not just for conservatives - for all Americans - you could have had Ron Paul. He ALONE could have and WOULD HAVE WIPED THE FLOOR WITH OBAMA.
DON’T THINK SO?
PICTURE THEM DEBATING…
He, despite the supposedly terrible 20-year-old newsletters (that are less racist than stuff Obama says every other day), knows what the problems are in this country, and he has the smarts and the courage to fix them.
By comparison, Obama and McCain are 2-year-old screaming children with jam all over their faces, and crap in their little diapers.
***
Obama is horrible, and his supporters don’t think at all, they know nothing except their hatred of all things republican, conservative, and libertarian. They have no idea what a monster they support, because they have no idea how the world works. Don’t try to tell them, because they would rather eat dirt than learn anything.
Conservatives however, are even more scary, because they are SUPPOSED TO KNOW BETTER. They talk about freedom, and “limited government” but they NEVER, EVER DO A DAMN THING TO LIMIT IT.
IT GROWS AND GROWS WHILE THEY POSTURE AND PONTIFICATE.
THERE IS NO REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ACTUAL RESULTS OF THE TWO PARTIES; NOR WOULD THERE BE ANY REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RESULTS OF THE TWO MEN, AND NONE OF YOU STUPID JERKS EVEN SEEM TO REALIZE THAT.
Truman didn’t shrink FDR’s goverment, and Johnson didn’t stop Kennedy’s war in Vietnam. Nixon had wage and price controls like a socialist, and Reagan made supposed “liberal” Jimmy Carter’s government bigger. Peace-loving pot-smoking Bill Clinton went to war at will, and then “humble foreign policy” GW Bush made Clinton’s government bigger. Way bigger.
What is certain - is that either McCain or Obama will do the same thing - make government bigger.
You people kill me, you really do. You argue and bitch at each other, over what? Nothing.
***
“Conservatives” are nearly as socialistic as anybody they criticize, which is why they (many of them, including Oliver North and others) crow about how Iraqi oil revenue is going to be “distributed” among the Iraqi people, and how good that supposedly is.
I have a couple of questions for you supposed “capitalists.”
One, why isn’t AMERICAN oil revenue “distributed” among the people? Oh, that’s right, we have private corporations who produce that oil and sell it to the highest bidder. There is no such “distribution” going on here. I thought that we believed that our market based system was better for everyone all around?
So, then, why aren’t we recommending that for the Iraqis eh? And, for that matter, if our constitution is so great, why didn’t we recommend that for them too? Why’d they need to spend all that time and money thinking up a new one when we had a perfectly good one they could have used?
Especially since we don’t even seem to be using ours.
Methinks that our “conservatives” are really socialists in disguise. Actually, the facts support that conclusion anyway; most neocons are former socialists. Reagan himself was one. Bill Buckley was one too, and a CIA operative to boot. Rush Limbaugh thinks Buckley should be considered as one of the Founding Fathers of this nation - I heard him say it.
With all due respect to Rush - that is sick. Buckley was much more concerned about himself than he was about freedom, and freedom is what this country is all about, nothing else. He ain’t no Thomas Jefferson, and to even suggest that he was is delusional.
But hey, I guess there’s a lot of that going around these days.
***
As for you supposedly “anti-war” liberals - don’t kid yourselves, you’re as bloodthirsty as they come, starting with FDR, and right up to Obama. Lord Obama isn’t going to stop any fighting, or any wars on net - and you are all fools if you think he will. Big governments like you want to have will always find a way to war, and the wars will only end when we run out of money, or that money becomes worthless.
Don’t worry though, that time is coming. Soon. You will all live to see it. Don’t say you weren’t warned, because Ron Paul definitely warned you.
Too bad you’re all too damn stupid to listen.
You may now return to your regularly scheduled pointless squabbling over nothing.
Tom deSabla, some of your points are quite valid but you post like such a typical Ron Paul supporter; with contempt for those who don’t support your position. For a moment I almost thought you were Brian Sullivan, another charming fellow on these boards who thinks everyone else is a moron and believes that civility in discussions with his lessers is a liability.
Ron Paul is right about a lot of things that are wrong with our government. All he has to do is point people to Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution and ask them if many, perhaps most, federal government programs are really constitutional. It isn’t a matter if they’re “good,” “necessary,” or even if our intentions are good. If the Constitution doesn’t provide the authority for programs that we feel are needed than we should amend the Constitution first. Needless to say, that sensible philosophy fell by the wayside a long time ago and as you point out both major parities are guilty of disdain for the Constitution. As Karl Marx said, the road to hell is paved with best of intentions. Despite what some want to believe, we no longer live in a Democratic Republic under the rule of constitutional law.
Unfortunately in debates Dr. Paul came off as an old scold, like a little old schoolmaster cracking kids’ knuckles with a ruler. It turned people off. If you think presentation doesn’t matter, say that after THE ONE becomes president.
Oh no! They’ve found out! I thought my disguise as Tom deSabla was so clever. Turns out that I’m not as smart as I used to think I was. But (heh, heh, heh), no one will ever catch on to the fact that I also pose as a guy named Cliff Kincaid.
Brian Sullivan - you quote TIME MAGAZINE as your source? LOL!!! Ha ha hee hee ho
It seems the entire crowd of usual posters is here - Good for you all! I enjoy reading your opinions.
Now do as the obamabots do and go post on Huffington, and Daily koz - that is, if you can stomach it! Try to educate the obamabots about their candidate who refuses to release information about his ties to Rezko and other corrupt criminals he surrounded himself with while in Illinois.
What I think is interesting about Obama is that he has less experience than Sarah Palin. She as governor has to make HARD decisions that affect the welfare of the state while Ob just posts PRESENT to avoid controversy! I also find it interesting that she is compared to HIM not to Biden whom she will line up in her cross hairs at the VP debate.
Ever wonder if Biden is also financed by Obama’s group of cronies? I wonder if AIM would do an issue on who is funding him?
Oh wow!
This election is going to be ‘interesting’!
Ron Paul didn’t come off as a scold. He just didn’t sugar coat the facts. We are, all voters anyway, supposed to be adults and capable of understanding straight talk. We are also supposed to be strong enough to listen to facts and not run cringing to someone who will tell us ‘everything’s going to be all right’.
He laid out the problems, and they are monumental. He laid out the solutions and they are tough. Many did not want to know about those problems. It is frightening and it would have demanded some real changes.
The news media tried it’s best to destroy Ron Paul. They did everything they could to stop anyone from hearing his message.
The post earlier about not speaking out negatively against Obama was chilling.
It’s pretty transparent, though, so I don’t think it will get much traction - unless Obama gets elected. Then we may see some laws along those lines.
To be fair, though, I have seen the same thing said to those of us who have criticized this President.
“Ever wonder if Biden is also financed by Obama’s group of cronies?”
Is that the kind of thing you wonder about, Helen? You are an odd one.
“I wonder if AIM would do an issue on who is funding him?”
It’s probably satanic marxist muslim kid-touchers.
I am so afraid we are focusing on where the media is leading us.
Is Mr. Obama connected to cummunism? Possibly and maybe probably. He is not alone, I don’t think.
Communism is not dead. It is stronger than ever and communist China, with the aid of our own government and businesses, have devised a system whereby the American people support the idealogy. Through our government’s sweet trade deals, our business (in league with the government) has helped a communist country to rise to a super power - maybe THE superpower in the coming years - economically and militarily.
It seems China is embracing a form of capitalism, coupled with communism. The people, or workers, are governed by communism and a repressive government - while corporations and their hacks in the Chinese government make tons of money. I’m thinking that is what the ‘movers and shakers’ of the world have in mind for all of us.
In order to bring that about here in America, they have to wipe out the middle income people and have only the elites and the ‘workers’. That is coming about right now. Some of us think we are prospering. We ‘own’ our homes, don’t we? Do we? How many homes are without a mortgage? Even if you no longer owe on your home, what if you couldn’t pay the rising taxes? What if Wal Mart, or some other entity wanted your home site?
In this country, there are a lot of retail sales going on, a huge (and growing) healthcare system, a huge (but pretty ineffectual) education system. Think what would happen to all of that if the government withheld the monies?
Without this influx of borrowed and confiscated monies, this economy would slow to a trickle. If credit cards demanded payment in full, or simply cancelled the line of credit, there would be chaos.
The foundation for communism/capitalism are already in place in this country, and it is being supported and aided by our politicians and the news media.
Obama is not the man to be President of this country, but rather than focus on his communist connections, we need to look at the communist connections of our entire government - all of them. That is where the real danger is.
I’m thinking the media is putting out these little tidbits of Obama’s communist connections to keep us from realizing they ALL have communist connections.
Another thing that has to happen is the dissolution of our national sovereignty and it is happening very fast.
Obama is not the man for the job, but the communism we need to fear is backing all of them in WAshington. You are aiding and abetting everytime you spend a dime in Wal Mart, or most other stores in this country.
“Is Mr. Obama connected to cummunism? Possibly and maybe probably.”
What’s that, neo-porn? this guy must be stopped!
“”“”“”“What’s that, neo-porn? “”“”“”“”“
I’m assuming that means something - it escapes me.
Yes, Obama needs to be stopped.
But what are you going to do about all the others in our government(s), federal, state and local, and business who are facilitators of communism?
The media is trying to present the idea that only Obama is connected to communism - and it seems a lot of the people are buying that.
Communist China has a stranglehold on our economy, our business, and more. That wasn’t done by Mr. Obama. It was done by our government officials, both Republicans and Democrats, over decades.
Does anything think if Obama is defeated (I certainly hope he is), Communist China’s influence on our lives will cease?
Yes defeat communism, defeat Obama. Then actually DO something about defeating communism. WE need to get rid of the people in congress that have championed the cause of communist China through the suicidal trade deals.
We need to stop spending our money - as much as we can - with the retailers and businesses that also have some very powerful ‘communist connections’. They are the ones that are really doing us harm.
Or we can delude ourselves and think if only we keep Obama out of the WH, communism will be stopped in it’s tracks.
Dave, are you trying to insinuate that those who don’t buy into the carefully crafted image of THE ONE as a middle of the road liberal populist are a bundh of neocons? Or are you just throwing out your usual incoherent bilge?
ladytexan, are you daring to imply that neither major party can be trusted, that neither have much respect for a democratic Republic under the rule of constitutional law? Are you insinuating that perhaps voters should seriously consider voting for a third party like the Constitution Party, the American Independent Party, or the American Reform in order to send a message to Foggy Bottom?
“I’m assuming that means something - it escapes me.”
It was a joke. you typed “cummunism” instead of “communism” and i took the opportunity to make a foul joke. Sorry. I do, however, think your reaction to what you see as the threat of communism is about 60 years late.
“Dave, are you trying to insinuate that those who don’t buy into the carefully crafted image of THE ONE as a middle of the road liberal populist are a bundh of neocons?”
I have no idea what you’re referring to. Seriously, which post are you talking about?
‘‘Roberto’’ - Actually, I was doing more than implying, I was stating it. Anyone who is willing to give it some thought and look back at very recent history can see it for themselves.
‘‘Dave’’ - Foul jokes usually do go over my head.
What do you mean by 60 years too late? If you mean that cOmmunism has taken over our country already, I agree. If you mean that cOmmunism is not a threat, then I disagree.
It is never too late to do the right thing, however. It just takes a little effort and in our case, denying ourselves the thrill of a weekly basket-filling at Wal Mart would be a giant step in that direction.
To Brian R. Sullivan, Barry Hussein Osama, oops, Obama is not the first African American candidate (we prefer “black”, NO hyphenated Americans!! He is the first MULATTO candidate you cretin. His atheist mother was white or does’nt the mothers race count in your small mind???
Never part without loving words to think of during your absence. It may be that you will not meet again in life.
The only time to buy these is on a day with no ‘y’ in it.
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.
Have you ever observed that we pay much more attention to a wise passage when it is quoted than when we read it in the original author?
Dr. Haggerty - Obama says he is Blak not Mulatto as he is denying his “white” heritage. And I am glad. NOw I can criticize his “white half” without criticizing his Black half and being called a racist for doing so. I bet you a cup of coffee that OB would be furious if anyone posed the question to him as to why he calls himself Black not Mulatto!!
Here are other questions to ask him if you have the chance - from George Will!
Senator, concerning the criteria by which you will nominate judges, you said: “We need somebody who’s got the heart, the empathy, to recognize what it’s like to be a young teenage mom. The empathy to understand what it’s like to be poor, or African-American, or gay, or disabled, or old.” Such sensitivities might serve an admirable legislator, but what have they to do with judging? Should a judge side with whichever party in a controversy stirs his or her empathy? Is such personalization of the judicial function inimical to the rule of law?
• Voting against the confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts, you said: Deciding “truly difficult cases” should involve “one’s deepest values, one’s core concerns, one’s broader perspectives on how the world works, and the depth and breadth of one’s empathy.” Is that not essentially how Chief Justice Roger Taney decided the Dred Scott case? Should other factors—say, the language of the constitutional or statutory provision at issue—matter?
• You say, “The insurance companies, the drug companies, they’re not going to give up their profits easily when it comes to health care.” Why should they? Who will profit from making those industries unprofitable? When pharmaceutical companies have given up their profits, who will fund pharmaceutical innovations, without which there will be much preventable suffering and death? What other industries should “give up their profits”?
• ExxonMobil’s 2007 profit of $40.6 billion annoys you. Do you know that its profit, relative to its revenue, was smaller than Microsoft’s and many other corporations’? And that reducing ExxonMobil’s profits will injure people who participate in mu-tual funds, index funds and pension funds that own 52 percent of the company?
• You say John McCain is content to “watch [Americans’] home prices decline.” So, government should prop up housing prices generally? How? Why? Were prices ideal before the bubble popped? How does a senator know ideal prices? Have you explained to young couples straining to buy their first house that declining prices are a misfortune?
• Telling young people “don’t go into corporate America,” your wife, Michelle, urged them to become social workers or others in “the helping industry,” not “the moneymaking industry.” Given that the moneymakers pay for 100 percent of American jobs, in both public and private sectors, is it not helpful?
• Michelle, who was born in 1964, says that most Americans’ lives have “gotten progressively worse since I was a little girl.” Since 1960, real per capita income has increased 143 percent, life expectancy has increased by seven years, infant mortality has declined 74 percent, deaths from heart disease have been halved, childhood leukemia has stopped being a death sentence, depression has become a treatable disease, air and water pollution have been drastically reduced, the number of women earning a bachelor’s degree has more than doubled, the rate of homeownership has increased 10.2 percent, the size of the average American home has doubled, the percentage of homes with air conditioning has risen from 12 to 77, the portion of Americans who own shares of stock has quintupled … Has your wife perhaps missed some pertinent developments in this country that she calls “just downright mean”?
• You favor raising the capital gains tax rate to “20 percent or 25 percent.” You say this will not “distort” economic decision making. Your tax returns on your 2007 income of $4.2 million show that you and Michelle own few stocks. Are you sure you understand how investors make decisions?
Senator, concerning the criteria by which you will nominate judges, you said: “We need somebody who’s got the heart, the empathy, to recognize what it’s like to be a young teenage mom. The empathy to understand what it’s like to be poor, or African-American, or gay, or disabled, or old.” Such sensitivities might serve an admirable legislator, but what have they to do with judging? Should a judge side with whichever party in a controversy stirs his or her empathy? Is such personalization of the judicial function inimical to the rule of law?
• Voting against the confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts, you said: Deciding “truly difficult cases” should involve “one’s deepest values, one’s core concerns, one’s broader perspectives on how the world works, and the depth and breadth of one’s empathy.” Is that not essentially how Chief Justice Roger Taney decided the Dred Scott case? Should other factors—say, the language of the constitutional or statutory provision at issue—matter?
• You say, “The insurance companies, the drug companies, they’re not going to give up their profits easily when it comes to health care.” Why should they? Who will profit from making those industries unprofitable? When pharmaceutical companies have given up their profits, who will fund pharmaceutical innovations, without which there will be much preventable suffering and death? What other industries should “give up their profits”?
Mr. Obama rightly recognizes that his race (the black part) is all he has going for him and he is determined to play it for all it’s worth.
Laws based on emotion are not good laws. It should be based on the law. Far too many laws, rules and regulations have been put in place based on emotion rather than the constitution or what is best for the country.
However, I see a problem with some of Mr. Will’s questions. I see his questions trying to put people in the position of either seeming to agree with Mr. Obama or defending corporations, and pretending all is well with America. Now that’s a neat trick.
Anyone who doesn’t believe that oil companies are not making obscene profits isn’t thinking. Perhaps their profit is not as great as Microsoft, but what does that mean, exactly??? Nothing. It means absolutely nothing. Sounds good, though, doesn’t it?
Anyone who doesn’t realize that pharmaceutical companies are not only charging way too much for their products, but are putting dangerous products on the market. This has been achieved by paying off government employees to allow this to happen. Also, the government helps pay for research, so to pretend it will come to a halt if companies begin acting ethically is silly.
Once again, the politicians are trying to decide how we react to things. So if you suggest that drug companies are making too much money and perhaps endangering life, you want them to be unprofitable. That’s silly. We can think for ourselves, Mr. Wills. We can see that companies can be very profitable and still operate in a responsible manner.
I’m sure Mrs. Obama and I would disagree on why America is not so great these days, but I do agree we have lots of problems.
There are many things in this country that we accept and even consider ‘improvements’ that actually speak to a failure of our society.
Our massive federal government. It is so large, so convoluted, we, the people, have little chance of effecting changes in it. It is oppressive and has far too much control over our everyday lives.
Prisons - think about it. WE supposedly have the largest prison population in the world. Shouldn’t a supposed free, fairly prosperous society be able to find a way to reduce crime? A prison full of miscreants is not a sign of success, but failure.
Teen pregnancy - millions spent on sex education. It’s not working.
Our healthcare system. The finest in the world they say. Shouldn’t a society that has as much affluence, such large pharmaceutical companies, etc, do a better job of prevention rather than simply treating the disease after it takes root?
I saw a list of the top 5 drugs in America. Of the five, three were for cardio-vascular problems and 2 were anti-depressants. Yes, it is great that people with true depression can be treated now - but why don’t we wonder why so very many of us must depend on antidepressant medication? Is it necessary or are we an overmedicated society? That looks like failure to me.
Abortion. Think about it. Men and women are creating life they are not prepared to care for and the answer is simply to destroy it. That’s a failure of monumental proportions. In a free society, a good society, an affluent society, why aren’t we able to make people realize that engaging in sex can create life and that when it is created, you are responsible for it and destroying it, might mean you do not have to care for or support it - but it’s still your responsibility. Why can’t we as a society cherish and support all life.
Divorce - over half of the marriages end in divorce. That’s a failure.
Our huge number of lawyers. Shouldn’t we be better people than to act in a way to need a lawyer or to overuse the law for our own gain? People think that our sue-happy society has made things better - on the contrary. Now people and companies don’t base their actions on what is right or wrong, but in just how far they can go before they get caught or get sued. It has lowered the bar for ethical behavior.
Welfare - wow. Yes, there are legitimately times when people need a hand up - but welfare as a way of life is a waste of human potential and a huge failure of any society.
I don’t think anyone believes our education system is anything but a failure.
So, Mr. Will, I can see that America has many, many problems and I can see that oil companies are making huge profits and I can see that pharmaceutical companies are not acting in a responsible manner. I can see all this, without embracing Mr. Obama’s platform. Don’t try to tell me that unless I champion these companies and the way they do business, I want them to be unprofitable.
Don’t let the politicians decide how you will view things.
Mr. Obama rightly recognizes that his race (the black part) is all he has going for him and he is determined to play it for all it’s worth. (I agree with you. He is the only one mentioning race in his speeches)
Laws based on emotion are not good laws. It should be based on the law. Far too many laws, rules and regulations have been put in place based on emotion rather than the constitution or what is best for the country. (Lady Texan - you might wantto get the book, MEN IN BLACK and read how our constitution has been distorted by ALL judges at ALL levels!)
Anyone who doesn’t believe that oil companies are not making obscene profits isn’t thinking. Perhaps their profit is not as great as Microsoft, but what does that mean, exactly??? Nothing. It means absolutely nothing. Sounds good, though, doesn’t it? (Lady Texan: You need to look at the basics of profit versus investment and risk. The oil companies are NOW making huge profits but look at Google who is even higher! Would you take money from them also? And Microsoft? And Hedge Fund Managers whose profit is in the 90% range? And I ask what is wrong with profit? If you could do it wouldn’t you? That is the point of Will’s question - what is to stop the Obama Administration from taking from all? Where will he stop?)
Anyone who doesn’t realize that pharmaceutical companies are not only charging way too much for their products, but are putting dangerous products on the market. This has been achieved by paying off government employees to allow this to happen. Also, the government helps pay for research, so to pretend it will come to a halt if companies begin acting ethically is silly.(We pay $$$$ to companies for research and pay much higher prices than anywhere else in the world. I never understood this. I go to Mexico and buy most any drug I want for around $6.00 Here the same drug costs me $130. But the question comes - will Obama also charge them for making a profit?)
Once again, the politicians are trying to decide how we react to things. So if you suggest that drug companies are making too much money and perhaps endangering life, you want them to be unprofitable. That’s silly. We can think for ourselves, Mr. Wills. We can see that companies can be very profitable and still operate in a responsible manner.
I’m sure Mrs. Obama and I would disagree on why America is not so great these days, but I do agree we have lots of problems. (I think America is the greatest country in the world but I do see a decline in the salaries and hourly wages of jobs mainly due to ILlegal Immigrants and folks NEEDING jobs! Thus they will take any job for which they are paid. IF the unemployment rate becomes low, then salaries go up. IF MCC would start drilling here and now, start with clean coal and natural gas, thousands of jobs could be created that would pay well.)
There are many things in this country that we accept and even consider ‘improvements’ that actually speak to a failure of our society.
Our massive federal government. It is so large, so convoluted, we, the people, have little chance of effecting changes in it. It is oppressive and has far too much control over our everyday lives. ((AMEN Lady TEXAN - smart that you recognize this!)
Prisons - think about it. WE supposedly have the largest prison population in the world. Shouldn’t a supposed free, fairly prosperous society be able to find a way to reduce crime? A prison full of miscreants is not a sign of success, but failure. (Many are in prison becasue they want to be there. We would have to combat society and the way kids are raised to change much of this. Some are there unlawfully. We also need to help them through DNA or other means. Many are Illegals - they should be deported to their home countries.)
Teen pregnancy - millions spent on sex education. It’s not working. (Teen pregnancy is down for 2007. AGAIN - when kids see Brittany and her sister getting drunk, high, pregnant at 16 -that is their role model. I blame the parents who don’t give the kids the attention they deserve, and I also blame the girls who think it “cool” to have sex at an early age.)
Our healthcare system. The finest in the world they say. Shouldn’t a society that has as much affluence, such large pharmaceutical companies, etc, do a better job of prevention rather than simply treating the disease after it takes root? (How can you make folks stop smoking? taking drugs? eating too much? being obese? There is lots of prevention but folks don’t pay attention.)
I saw a list of the top 5 drugs in America. Of the five, three were for cardio-vascular problems and 2 were anti-depressants. Yes, it is great that people with true depression can be treated now - but why don’t we wonder why so very many of us must depend on antidepressant medication? Is it necessary or are we an overmedicated society? That looks like failure to me. (I think its more of a DNA problem. Too many who are genetically deficient have kids who then have the problem. MY own family is an example of that. IN doing genealogy research, I found three of my grandmother’s kin committed suicide. Four of her 8 children had psycho problems and one killed herself after becoming a psycho. She was NOT a bad grandmother, but loved and nurtured her kids. DNA was at play here and one aunt who needed meds often wouldn’t take them.)
Abortion. Think about it. Men and women are creating life they are not prepared to care for and the answer is simply to destroy it. That’s a failure of monumental proportions. In a free society, a good society, an affluent society, why aren’t we able to make people realize that engaging in sex can create life and that when it is created, you are responsible for it and destroying it, might mean you do not have to care for or support it - but it’s still your responsibility. Why can’t we as a society cherish and support all life. (Some people who do NOT want kids sometimes end up with them even though they take precautions. A child should have the right to be wanted when born. Not detested or its parents “forced” to raise it. Hoever, there are too many abortions and I think we need more societal pressure on NOT having sex without protection.)
Divorce - over half of the marriages end in divorce. That’s a failure. (OF society? Nope - of the individuals themselves! America is NOT to blame for this problem.)
Our huge number of lawyers. Shouldn’t we be better people than to act in a way to need a lawyer or to overuse the law for our own gain? People think that our sue-happy society has made things better - on the contrary. Now people and companies don’t base their actions on what is right or wrong, but in just how far they can go before they get caught or get sued. It has lowered the bar for ethical behavior. (Talk to John Edwards about this and ALL Trial lawyers. IT is often cheaper to give in thatn to fight frivilous law suits like the owoman who put a cup of coffee between her legs with the top off and her son drove away thus she got burned and sued MCDonalds!! She was at fault and that is the problem - lack of individual responsibility - and that applies to topics above -abortion, divorce, etc)
Welfare - wow. Yes, there are legitimately times when people need a hand up - but welfare as a way of life is a waste of human potential and a huge failure of any society. (YEt Obama wants to turn the society into ONE BIG WELFARE begging demanding group of lazy people -just lik LBJ did in his great society!!)
I don’t think anyone believes our education system is anything but a failure. (Again - too many illegals in the system and parents who don’t help their kids learn!)
So, Mr. Will, I can see that America has many, many problems and I can see that oil companies are making huge profits and I can see that pharmaceutical companies are not acting in a responsible manner. I can see all this, without embracing Mr. Obama’s platform. Don’t try to tell me that unless I champion these companies and the way they do business, I want them to be unprofitable. (HE is NOT saying you should be championing them, just to let the market work without government inteference. IF OB is elected, he will interfere and with a Democratic government - nothing to stop him form invading ALL aspects of your life - just like Hitler did. REmember his speech: You CANT eat all you want, you CANT drive that big SUV, you CANT sit on your couch and become a couch potato.?? This is a Democracy in terms of how we run it - why can’t we if we want to? Why can’t corporations make profit? What is wrong with that? Aren’t we a capitalist society?
Lady Texan - you have some great ideas - just think through your objections to why America isn’t a great country!! So we have problems, but they are much less than in other countries whose tax rates are up in the 60%!! Do you want to work until AUGUST for the government? Consider wat you say and really look closely at yourconclusions.
Thanks for your reply!
Don’t let the politicians decide how you will view things.
“Dr. Haggerty - Obama says he is Blak not Mulatto as he is denying his “white” heritage.”
Arrant nonsense!
“NOw I can criticize his “white half” without criticizing his Black half and being called a racist for doing so.”
Too cute by half.
So Helen…you from Texas by any chance? (Hey, speaking of which, someone emailed me the “cactus cuties” singing the National Anthem. They’re from Texas too, if I’m not mistaken. Wow, are they amazing!)
ladytexan, I’m in complete agreement with you about our country needing more that the old rhetoric and corruption of the two major parties. My comments about daring and insinuations were satirical.
Dave,
What did you mean when you posted the following:
“Is Mr. Obama connected to cummunism? Possibly and maybe probably.” What’s that, neo-porn? this guy must be stopped!
The problem is that you often post short caustic and curt posts that arn’t clear as to your position. So please clarify.
Desquamate,
Strange, my interpretation of cynicism. a dictionary one, is an attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others, not as you said, “The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.” The second half of the statement often shows an attitude of cynicism and hubris.
roberto-
I was quoting another poster (Helen #91 in a letter to the Corinthians) who inadvertantly typed “cummunism” instead of “communism”. “cum” is a commonly spelled version of the word “come”, and when so spelled refers to a specific aspect of sexual activity. So I was making a joke. Or trying, anyway.
“The problem is that you often post short caustic and curt posts that arn’t clear as to your position. So please clarify.”
Missionary mostly.
DAVE - Go read OBama’s books - and learn dear!!
HS
Roberto -
I understood your post.
Helen -
I did forget that Obama does have the media going for him and that is no small thing.
As to companies being allowed to operate without government interference and allowed to make a profit, I’m all for it. All the hype about government interferring with business is just that. Think about it. They have the money and in this country, money is power.
If the oil or drug companies had even an inkling that Obama could or would try to affect their profits, he would not be in the position he is today. These companies did not get as powerful as they are by leaving things like elections up to the people.
If the oil companies had wanted to drill in Alaska, they would have. If the dastardly democrats had, assuming they could, stopped the drilling, against the oil companies’ wishes, each one of them would have had a very attractive, well financed, and winning opponent in the next election.
As for abortion, and unwanted children, the time to think about that is before you have sex. Sex is like everything else we try to reserve for adulthood, it comes with responsibilities. One of those is to be man and woman enough to take responsibility for any life that is created, knowing that is a possibility. That responsibility could be to allow it to be adopted. I am thinking that someone who could produce a child and then detest it, has some very deep seated problems.
A baby does deserve to be loved and cherished - and it deserves to live.
We need to get the illegals out of not only our prisons, but every other part of our country. It is not an impossible task, but our government doesn’t have the desire to do anything about it - neither party.
Welfare - perhaps Mr. Obama would increase the rolls. He would have to go some to do more than his predecessors, Rep and Dem. This President did not began the illegal alien problem, but he certainly made it worse. He protected and encouraged it. Those who opposed it, he called bigots. He called the volunteer border patrol vigilantes. He had the means and the backing of the majority of people to do something about it. He did just the opposite. In doing so, he added millions to the welfare rolls and to the already strained infrastructure of this country.
They get food stamps, free food with WIC, totally free healthcare, free lunches and breakfasts for the school children, free school supplies if they want them (my grandchildren’s supplies cost about $80 each this year), and they get housing assistance, either rent or HUD financed homes. I read an interview with two different HUD officials, different times. Both pretty much said the same thing, that illegals had so many HUD loans, if even a small percentage of the illegals defaulted, the program would be in jeopardy. That didn’t come about just because of the democrats.
The John Edwards type lawyers are not the only ones who are very happy with our legalized society. The corporate lawyers are very happy about those fat retainers the corporations pay for them to do damage control and hide information.
The drug companies, their lawyers, the plaintiff’s lawyers, the judges and the plaintiffs know that some drugs are killing and harming people. Yet drug companies are allowed to settle many cases out of court and have the details sealed and kept secret. The drug companies, I think, are just keeping it out of the public eye long enough for them to make their billions on it, then the awards for the few that make it to court, would be a drop in the bucket. I personally think anyone who had anything to do with keeping things like that secret, should be charged as an accessory to murder for any subsequent deaths caused by the drug.
We, the taxpayers, however pay for the arena for these lawyers and corporations to play their moneymaking games, and cover up dangerous practices and products. That’s insanity.
Yes, society is at fault for many of our ills. Certainly, individuals are responsible for their actions, but there are so many individuals doing the destructive things, they constitute a large portion of society. But society has always set some of the moral standards and it has stopped. If divorce, abortion, promiscious sex, crime, drugs, lawsuits, etc., were frowned up now as they once were, I believe there would be less..
Yes, America is a great country. I still think it is the greatest country on earth. To be really honest, however, I have no personal knowledge of any other country to compare.
The fact that I do know it was once great and could be again is why I don’t mind speaking the unpleasant truths.
Certainly illegals have an impact on our education system, but it was going down the tubes before the illegals began to bring their children. Parents should be concerned and involved, but schools have them for 7 hours a day, 5 days a week. Parents have other teaching duties, manners, ethics, behavior, religion if they want, etc.
When I started my first child to school in 1969, I was told point blank, they didn’t need or want parents involved. That continued on until the 80’s when they realized how bad things were, then suddenly all the problems stemmed from parents not making the teacher’s conferences, etc. Schools are failing because they have lost sight of the fact that schools are to teach reading, writing and arithmetic - not social structure, not sports, not how to have sex, and not just how to pass ‘the test’.
As with sex, there are responsibilities and reprecussions for all our actions. That is true for our own healthcare. The fact is, however, obesity is a fairly recent phenomenon. Has everyone suddenly become gluttonous lay arounds? Could it be what we eat as much as how much. You cannot fill you body with foods laced with hormones, pesticides, chemicals, dyes, perservatives, and things like high fructose corn syrup and expect it to perform as God intended. Some people might not be affected - just as some are not allergic to certain things, but I think it bears discussion and investigation.
People need to be eating good, clean, unaltered food. That is, sadly, out of the economic reach of many, many people today. Chemical ladened fat and starches are cheaper than fresh fruits, fresh veggies and clean meat, if available. That’s just the facts.
We spent 9 months in AZ a couple of years ago. There we had access to all manner of fresh fruits and veggies at a very reasonable price and organic meat. Doing nothing different, I lost 2 pants sizes in that time. I had less exercise as I had no garden to care for, no big house to clean, and you don’t do much exercising in 120 degree weather. We ate all we wanted and used plenty of organic butter and olive oil.
When we lived on our farm and raised all our food, none of us had an ounce of fat and we ate anything we wanted, of our own food, and as much as we wanted.
We are responsible to a point, but neither the government nor the corporations want anyone bringing up the possibility that it might be the additives in our food that is causing our health problems. They can successfully blame it all on the gluttonous fatties. That works because overweight people would not be listened to if they did ask questions and those who aren’t overweight seem to get a perverse pleasure out of denigrating overweight people.
Sorry this is so long.
Hollywood is a place where they place you under contract instead of under observation.
Hearing voices no one else can hear isn’t a good sign, even in the wizarding world.
Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you’re scared to death.
Helen-
“DAVE - Go read OBama’s books - and learn dear!!”
Um, learn WHAT, snookums?
Lady Texan - You have hit on salient points that affect our society and it is BOTH sides who have contributed to the decline of our economy, societal norms etc so what do we do about it?
We start by electing John MCCain and Sarah Palin to shake up Washington and we support their efforts to curb spending, stop earrmarks and actually demand that congress start working!
Why not Obama? - here is one example: Did you know that Barack Obama got earmarks for BIDEN’s son the day that Biden was nominated for VP? That is how the corruption and slap my back politics works in Washington. He also got earrmarks and grants for Father Pflager - and for his chruch to the tune of 15 million dollars. NOw where did that money go?
And what about the money from Hurricane Katrina that they got? Where did that money go? Perhaps that’s how the church got the ten MILLION dollar line of credit to buy Wright’s ten thousand sq ft home behind garded gates on a golf course? And what also doesthat tell you about the church and their denial of “middle class” values? Hypocrites aren’t they?
We get rid of the corruption as usual crowd and get in to Washington someone who has lived the normal life like Sarah Palin. Lady Texan - are you willing to start complaining where it counts? In Washington? Have you called YOUR congresspersons and complained about their shoddy work? Their greed?
HS
Dave - in reply to my post about Obama - He says he is Black not Mulatto as he denies his “white” heritage.”
And your response: Arrant nonsense!
Dave - go read his books!! Have you ever done so? You look foolish denying what he has said over and over again.
He denies his white half and declares himselfto be Black. NOt mulatto - but BLACK!!
The man is conflicted about himself. If he were truly smart he would claim both halves of his heritage!!
He needs time to learn who he is but he doesn’t need to do so as POTUS!!
IN ADDITION: he also belonged to a church for twenty years that espoused the following TEN TENETS which conveniently has been scrubbed from its website along with the map of africa, the sound of drums and jungle “sounds” that used to be their opening webpage. LIke his Obama08 website which scrubbed the topic of TAXES the church scrubbed the following:
Focus on the African continent continues in two of the 10-point vision of the church:
1. A congregation committed to ADORATION.
2. A congregation preaching SALVATION.
3. A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.
4. A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA. (NOTE: Notice.. not to the US, or to God, but to AFRICA!!)
5. A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.
6. A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.
7. A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.
8. A congregation committed to LIBERATION.
9. A congregation committed to RESTORATION.
10. A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY.
Poor DAVE!! - so sorry to burst your balloon about utter nonsense. Go read his books and look at his history before saying “utter nonsense.”
“He denies his white half and declares himselfto be Black. NOt mulatto - but BLACK!!”
Uh, Helen…I’ve seen endless references to his being raised by a single white woman, as well as references to his white grandparents. So how is he denying his “white half”?
“You look foolish denying what he has said over and over again.”
Show me what he has said and where he said it, and then we can all decide how foolish I look…
Dave: Here are a few comments for you to digest. You haven’t read his books or we wouldn’t be having this discussion and you wouldn’t be saying, “Utter Nonsense.”
I went to the library and got his books to read and try to figure out where OB was “coming from.” He seemed “good” at first, but after listening to him, seeing the tenets of his “church,” listening to all his speeches, seeing his wife’s disdain of America and the greatness this country has and has shown over the years, I became concerned about OB.
Now, I KNOW he is NOT the man to run this country. He is inexperienced, naive, and lacks knowledge and experience. IF he could not get asbestos out of an apartment building in Chicago EVEN WHEN He was a senator he is incompetent.
Further, he is corrupt and iressponsible: He got contracts for his buddies - African American developers who built shoddy buildings, and who neglected their responsibility to maintain those buildings that are now lying in ruin in Chicago.
He really did NOTHING to help his own people, that tells me he is not fit to be POTUS!! Go to the Chicago Newspapers and look at the stories there for support of these matters. The people living in the asbestos ridden buildings don’t think highly of Obama!! As SAid in Palin speech last night, he was a community developer who did nothing!! HIs constituents will back up that statement.
He is also not an AMERICA first type of leader that we need. We have NO NEED to apologize to anyone, anywhere for our great country. And he does that over and over and over in sppeches, appearances etc.
Here are a few excerpts from his book -Dreams of My Father (the worthless drunk who was a bigamist, philanderer, alcoholic and wrothless male of the species whom OB idolizes)
From Dreams of My Father:
‘I ceased to advertise my mother’s race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites.’
From Dreams of My Father:
‘I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother’s race.’
From Dreams of My Father:
“There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white.’‘
From Dreams of My Father:
‘It remained necessary to prove which side you were on, to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names.’
From Dreams of My Father:
‘I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn’t speak to my own. It was into my father’s image, the black man, son of Africa, that I’d packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela.’
I hope this helps you realize why this man should NOT be president of the US!!
Helen,
You’re absolutely right that we need to get rid of corrupt politicians. Your reasons for not voting for Sen. Obama are quite correct also. We don’t need a socialist welfare nanny state run by Chicago/Daley machine politician. But if you think the Republicans can get the job done, think again. I like Gov. Palin but as the vice president she’ll have little if any power to clean up corruption.
The Republican Party, of which I’ve been almost a lifetime member for 47 years, is controlled by a small group of neoconservatives with their own Machiavellian agenda. As their founder described them the neoconservatives are former liberals, some of who were Trotskyites, who were mugged by reality but have refused to press charges. The rest of the Republicans decided that rather than defend their 1994 Contract With America they would institute a contract on America. So they tried to see if they could out do the Democrats on earmarks, pork, and chicanery. And I believe they’ve accomplished that goal.
The Republican Party is essentially moribund, an anachronism, and unfit to restore this country to a democratic Republic under the rule of constitutional law. What we need is a third party that’s truly conservative and dedicated to the Constitution as written, not as amended by judicial fiat.
While I’ll probably vote for the Constitution Party, it has become too much associated with a sectarian agenda for the tastes of many people. I realize that voting for a third party could put Sen. Obama in the White House, but if conservatives only vote for a truly constitutional party in good times then the dissatisfaction of true constitutional conservatives will never be acknowledged by the leaders of the Republican Party. Perhaps what the people of this once great Republic need to do is to dust off the Declaration of Independence and take it to heart with a vengeance, keeping in mind the reason Thomas Jefferson said the Second Amendment was written.
Helen-
I won’t disagree with you that this man has not proven he should be President. However, your claim that he “denies his white half” and considers himself “black, not mulatto”, which was the focus of the last few posts between us, remains completely baseless.
By the way, I’ve been waiting for Obama to say or do something to give me an indication that “this guy can handle this job”. It would seem that instead I got this indication from not a guy, but a woman from Alaska.
My joke of the day: A week ago the Dems two word response to the Republicans VP choice was “Sarah WHO?”, and today their two word response is “UH-OH!”
Helen,
You don’t have to convince me of the dangers of Obama. I fear his danger is far worse and far darker than welfare, big taxes, etc.
Now for McCain - yes, it seems we have been put in the position of, once again, voting for the lesser of two evils and I do think McCain is that.
I don’t, however, believe that getting this country back on track lies in electing John McCain. Electing him will perhaps buy us a little more time to get something done.
We have a 90% incumbency rate in WAshington. We need to go to the polls and vote out anyone now in office. Don’t look at party, just vote them out. Then we need to do that for about 3 more cycles - then we may have their attention. At this point in time, the voters, the people of this country and this country mean nothing to these people.
Unless we do that, this may be the very last election that US citizens have any control. When the illegals are given amnesty and more electronic voting machines are put in place, we are toast.
I beg everyone to really sit down with themselves and look back for the last 40-50 years. Some aren’t old enough to remember, but you can look at the programs, the laws, the rules and regulations that have been put in place over the years.
Look at the systematically, but slow, dismantling of this country and everything it is supposed to be.
They have used crisis after crisis, some real, some manufactured, some just mythical, to take more and more power from the people and to take more and more control of our lives.
Think of the rules and regulations put in place under the guise of civil rights, education, war on drugs, war on poverty, etc. None of these programs have had a positive effect on this country and on only a few of the recipients of these programs. It has allowed the government to make many laws and rules and regulations concerning the operation of your business, selling your home, what your kids are taught in school, and on and on and on.
Illegal immigration is the most pressing, potentially the most dangerous, problem we are facing today. Yet, if you listen to the political campaigns, it is a non issue.
We have between 30-50 million illegals and their children in this country. They are allowed to walk in and thumb their noses at the laws we are asked and forced to obey every day.
Any time a law or laws are systemically allowed to be openly, blatantly, and with government blessing to be broken, all other laws become less absolute.
These people are not only a huge burden financially on taxpayers, but they are overwhelming our infrastructure, our natural resources, our legal system.
Some of these people are here to work, make money, use the benefits afforded them. Some, however, are truly here to make a change in this country. Many of them consider much of this country as belonging to Mexico and if they get amnesty and are allowed to legally vote, they can certainly achieve that end.
Think how many are here and given the vote, they can control local and state legislatures. They can certainly send representatives from their districts to WAshington and perhaps even control some senators seat. Neither they, nor the people they elect, will be working to make this country better.
They will do as a former president of Mexico told them. He made a speech here and spoke to ‘my people here in the US’ and he told them to ‘go vote, and when you vote, vote with Mexico in mind.’
Now we can overcome a terrorist attack, God forbid if it happened. We cannot overcome being taken over from within by foreigners.
Oursourcing and the undermining of the US worker by sweet trade deals with Communist China, and allowing corporations to bring in tech workers to replace US workers because they are cheaper.
All these things have been marching steadily forward for a very long time. Much of it hidden behind such kindly goals, but the ultimate goal was the blurring of our sovereignty, creating divisions in this country, and globalization.
Just give a little time to check into these things and don’t think about all the rhetoric about how it helps people, but look at exactly what has been done. Then realize it has moved forward through Rep or Dem administrations, sometimes the congress controlled by one party, sometimes split, sometimes the WH and the congress of the same party, etc. No matter our so called political party in power, the agenda has moved forward.
All the campaign rhetoric about taxes, welfare, race, etc., is a smokescreen so we don’t think about the real dangers. These are destructive, but they are not the biggest danger.
We have all this facing us and what is the media focussing our attention on? The pregnancy of an unwed 17 year old girl!!!!!!!!! Whether a woman can have 5 kids and work and such nonsense.
We need a reality check.
DAve - I give you quotes from Obama’s own book, written by his OWN HAND, and you say “...won’t disagree with you that this man has not proven he should be President. However, your claim that he “denies his white half” and considers himself “black, not mulatto”, which was the focus of the last few posts between us, remains completely baseless.” ????????? LOL!! Ha Ha hee hee ho ho.
This is called seeing the forest but not the trees!! Ha ha ho ho hee hee OMG - you made my day.
I am going to use your reply in my college classes to demonstrate those who while hit on the head with facts still deny them!! I am laughing my head off DAVE!!
The best analogy is Hitler. Folks said, “Oh No he won’t attack Poland!! ”
Lady Texan - I agree that most politicians should be thrown out of office especially the “leaders” that are so blantantly corrupt - Reid, Pilosi, etc. but there are some bright stars on the horizon unless they get corrupted also - check out Bobby Jihdhal of Louisiana - Jim De Mint - Sarah Palin, Tom Tancredo, Douglas Hunter. That will keep you busy for awhile.
Then - ALL of you EXCEPT Dave who doesn’t believe facts when they hit him on the head, and you will start calling every congress person to do something about ILLEGAL and LEGAL IMMIGRATION! WE MUST ACT NOW ON THIS TOPIC - GOOD TOPIC FOR SARAH AND JOHN TO ANSWER AND THEN COMPARE OBAMA’S RESPONSE - that should decide from whom you will vote!!
As we prepare for the expected Congressional battles over immigration numbers this fall, it’s a good time to take stock of the urgency of our cause and the tools we have available to help fight for lower immigration numbers.
This video captures the essence of Numbers USA and is a must-see for anyone who wants to fully understand the basic information behind our work.
Or, you can cut and paste this link into your browser:
http://www.numbersusa.com/content/resources/video/recommended/immigration-numbers.html
There is, perhaps, no better way to quickly understand the essence of Numbers USA than to watch this video. If you haven’t already seen it, you must watch. If you have, I recommend taking another look.
Helen,
Is that the ‘gumball’ demonstration from Numbers USA? I will check it out.’
With the exception of perhaps a half dozen, they all need to go. These things could not have gotten done without both parties working together to do it. That’s something we really need to wrap our minds around - as hard as it is to do. WE have to turn loose of the apron strings of the political party idea. We may thing of those strings as life savers, but actually, we are being trolled out to be sharkbait.
I am familiar with Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo has been a hero of mine for many years. He was out there speaking out, taking the heat and the jokes by other politicians and the ridicule of the media for a long time.
The first time I saw him on C-Span, he was making a speech about illegal immigration and at first I had to check to see if it was a joke. No one was even talking about this problem.
The man from LA, I truly know nothing about and I just assumed he was put in office by the Republican Party, and I know they are as pro-illegal as the Democrats, by and large. I know little about the others.
I have been contacting congresscritters for almost 30 years now. I have received their canned messages back with the touchy feely rhetoric of ‘bringing them out of the shadows’ and ‘pathway to citizenship’, etc. This was the tone of the letters from our two Texas senators. Then I saw them try very hard to be ‘tough’ on illegal immigration when I know they are not.
Sen Cronyn came out right after the defeat of the last amnesty bill and immediately began talking about putting up the fence - in a ‘let’s get tough’ way.
I personally believe the fence is just a smokescreen a diversion. I don’t think it will ever be built, but if one is built, it will not be one that can, or is designed, to keep illegals out. This administration has had plenty of time to do something about illegal immigration. Congress experienced what the people thought of the situation and still we get token raids and threatened confiscation of citizen’s property - but little else.
We need to punish employers , (punishment that they will feel) deny freebies, (except for short term emergency needs), enforce driver’s license and insurance laws, (that means towing the vehicle), and lodge felony charges against anyone possessing or using fake or stolen documents.
We need to seriously look at all the businesses being purchased by illegals. There was an article that reported many of these small auto and tire shopes, restaurants, dress shops, etc., were really drug money backed and were being used to launder drug money.
If E-verify works as I have heard it does - simply to verify that the number is a valid number - it is really pretty useless. If the illegals know this, they are going to make sure their SS# is a valid one - and will be using stolen ID. Many are using the SS# of their American born children - who may actually have the same name. Also, they use the ID of other children since they know they will probably not enter the workforce for years to come.
We need a system that along with checking the SS# for validity, also compares the DOB and sex of the person presenting the card.
My SS card was lost for many years, and I never needed it, but we were going to be in WAshington state for an extended period of time and I thought I might just need it. At the SS office, I gave them my number. They entered it and about a minute later, she said, ‘Yes. Mrs. ____, your maiden name is ______, you were born on ______, in _____, TExas. YOur Mother’s name is _____, and your father’s name is _____.
Certainly there should be a way that either the employer can access that information or the info can be submitted to the government and they can verify it. If you have a # submitted that belongs to a female born in 1956 and the applicant is a 30 year old male - you have a problem.
We don’t need to have these made-for-TV raids that truly net only a handful of people, and we don’t need to fence people off from the Rio GRande that has been part of their heritage for centuries. If we enforce our laws, they will return home on their own.
Just enforce the laws on the books. They were put there to be used - dust them off and put them in play. That will take care of 90% of the problem.
I would call the video the SOBERING and SHOCKING GUMBALL VIDEO! Yes it is and I found it most interesting. I saw the difference in what happened to Los Angeles schools in the five years I worked as a supervising fieldwork instructor for a teacher education department at a university there andto my own classes which filled with ILLEGALS almost overnight it seemed.
While the majority are here for jobs and are good people and do work hard, they need to go home until we get our own country working and in order.
We pay for their health care, education, infrastructure, etc. and it is bankrupting our country! They do lower salaries as they work for less and thus drive salaries down.
We need to take back our country, get MCCAIN and Palin into office andlet them try to get a handle on the corruption in our government.
We ....We let them stay there by voting them in and I don’t want another man in there as President who is a pork barrel spender supreme.
He got Biden’s kid a HUGE earmark the day Biden accepted the VP slot - so much for OB"s honesty huh??
Helen-
You claim Obama “denies he is black” based on how he comported himself when he was 13. You have no concept of the difference between someone giving you his HISTORY as opposed to his present feelings, opinions, worldview etc.
No offense, but I find it stunning (and more than a little frightening) that you teach anywhere on any level.
“I am going to use your reply in my college classes to demonstrate those who while hit on the head with facts still deny them!! I am laughing my head off DAVE!!”
Keep laughing, doll. I believe you are confused to the point of delusion.
‘The best analogy is Hitler. Folks said, “Oh No he won’t attack Poland!! “ ‘
TILT!
DAve - I don’t claim anything but I do Quote Obama who knows himself better than you do. Have you ever met or talked to the man?
I didn’t think so. Tilt yourself. I have seen folks deny the holocaust when pictures are presented, and folks who deny we went to the moon, and then there is you - who seeing his own words, not ever having met the man, say he doesn’t think this way. Jeez Dave - get real.
And since your are not making any sense, this is the last post I will respond to from you on this topic. In terms of evdence and weight of evidence, you lose!
Helen…Dave is an admitted Anarchist. He doesn’t have to have a reason to argue…he just will and lives for it. It is his sickness and a waste of your time. Much like argueing with an alcoholic. Pissing in the wind. It gets all over you.
Helen and Julie-
Yikes!
Helen quotes a memoir wherein someone admits having been quite conflicted in his youth, and extrapolates to the present. Truly amazing, and intellectually barren. By that “reasoning”, an ex-Communist who becomes a right wing Republican IS STILL A COMMIE. (If you are telling the truth when you say that you are a teacher, your students are getting REALLY shortchanged. I would suggest they file criminal charges!)
Helen- ” I don’t claim anything “
but here is Helen’s earlier quote: “He denies his white half and declares himselfto be Black.”
So you’re not claiming anything here? Apparently you can read and write English, you just don’t understand it!
Julie says I’m an “admitted anarchist.” Considering the fact that I’ve never made any such admission (or anything even close), I assume she is a loon or a liar. 9And yes, boys and girls, it could be BOTH.) Although I guess she speaks from experience when she says “Pissing in the wind. It gets all over you.” Bring a towel, babe.
I noticed this about DAVE - and do not wish to “debate” with someone who doesn’t know the difference between fact and opinion anymore. He is only fooling himself.
HS
“I noticed this about DAVE - and do not wish to “debate” with someone who doesn’t know the difference between fact and opinion anymore. He is only fooling himself.”
You, my dear, don’t know the difference between past and present. You don’t “debate”; it’s another word whose meaning you are unable to grasp. Again, your students, if you are indeed employed as a teacher, have my complete sympathy.
Helen-
“Teen pregnancy - millions spent on sex education. It’s not working. (Teen pregnancy is down for 2007. AGAIN - when kids see Brittany and her sister getting drunk, high, pregnant at 16 -that is their role model. I blame the parents who don’t give the kids the attention they deserve, and I also blame the girls who think it “cool” to have sex at an early age.)”
So Sarah Palin is partly to blame for her daughter’s pregnancy? Do tell!
Helen,
I agree the ‘gumball video’ is sobering and I wish everyone in this country could see it.
Truthfully, I don’t know Ms. Pallin’s stance on illegal immigration, but John McCain has been pro-illegal for quite some time. It is surprising, too, if you realize that his state is suffering greatly from this travesty. Maybe not as much as California or Texas - but it is.
Our government, local, state and federal, do their best to not identify or keep records of the costs of illegals and the crimes committed by illegals. That way they can truthfully say they don’t know.
We, the people, could fix this problem in probably 6 months, or go a long way to fix it. If everyone who wants something done, would get together and use our purchasing power to effect a change, we could do it. I’ve tried for a couple of years, to get people interested in something like this, but no one seems to really want to do anything. They will get all fired up, support, campaign for, get angry with their fellow citizen over a corrupt politician, they know will do nothing, but won’t put out a small effort to change this.
It is our money that is being used to pay these illegals. WE are buying the products or using the services of the companies who hire them. We are buying the rope they are using to hang us.
Oh, I wish I could get people to listen.
LAD TEXAN: John McCain has been pro-illegal for quite some time. It is surprising, too, if you realize that his state is suffering greatly from this travesty. Maybe not as much as California or Texas - but it is. (I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU AND HIS KENNEDY/MCCAIN ILLEGAL AMNESTY LEGISLATION WAS QUICKLY BATTED DOWN BY GROUPS SUCH AS NUMBERS USA AND OTHERS! JOHN GO THE MESSAGE FOR SURE!! I THINK WE OUGHT TO RUN SHERIFF JOE ARPIAO FOR GOVERNOR OF ARIZONA/CALIFORNIA AS CALIFORNIA IS A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY NOW! I HOPE JOHN MCCAIN WAKES UP! I WILL SEND HIM THE GUMBALL VIDEO AND ASK HIM TO REALLY LOOK AT IT AND THINK ABOUT IT!
Our government, local, state and federal, do their best to not identify or keep records of the costs of illegals and the crimes committed by illegals. That way they can truthfully say they don’t know. YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT BUT SOME ARE TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM! WHERE I LIVE, ILLEGALS ARE NOT ENCOURAGED!
We, the people, could fix this problem in probably 6 months, or go a long way to fix it. If everyone who wants something done, would get together and use our purchasing power to effect a change, we could do it. I’ve tried for a couple of years, to get people interested in something like this, but no one seems to really want to do anything. They will get all fired up, support, campaign for, get angry with their fellow citizen over a corrupt politician, they know will do nothing, but won’t put out a small effort to change this. WE CAN CHANGE THE NUMBERS IN THE POPULATION OF ILLEGALS BY SUPPORTING THE GROUPS WHO DO FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL AND EVEN LEGAL IMMIGRATION! WE MUST STOP THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE COMING INTO OUR COUNTRY AS AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, DENMARK AND OTHER COUNTRIES DO! I AGREE WITH YOU LT!
It is our money that is being used to pay these illegals. WE are buying the products or using the services of the companies who hire them. We are buying the rope they are using to hang us. JUST LIKE THE GAS - WE PAY THE CORRUPT AND EVIL SAUDIS AND MEXICO FOR THEIR GAS. ONE WAY TO STOP THIS IS TO START A LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN IN YOUR AREA. GET A FEW PEOPLE TOGETHER AND START FLOODING WASHINGTON WITH THE LETTERS. IF THEIR MAIL BAGS ARE FULL - IT GETS THEIR ATTENTION!
Oh, I wish I could get people to listen. START WITH ONE AND ASK THAT ONE TO GET ONE MORE AND SO ON AND SO FORTH - THAT IS THE WAY TO BEGIN! DEMAND THAT CONGRESS STOP ALLOWING IMMIGRATION AND SEND BACK ILLEGALS TO THE COUNTRIES FROM WHICH THEY COME. THAT IS THE WAY TO BEGIN!
TODAY I WORKED THE PHONE BANKS FOR MCCAIN AND TOMORROW I WILL GO TO HIS RALLY AND TALK TO PEOPLE WHO COME! I INTEND TO REACH AS MANY AS I CAN BEFORE THE ELECTION!
JULIE - I AGREE THAT Dave doesn’t debate with any point in mind and totally ignores facts. That is why I won’t respond to him anymore - he is not worth my time.
HS
“I AGREE THAT Dave doesn’t debate with any point in mind and totally ignores facts.”
Well, not with any point that you can recognize or comprehend. My adherence to facts is steadfast.
“That is why I won’t respond to him anymore - he is not worth my time.”
Gee, I thought it was because I helped to show that you are in fact a barely literate buffoon. Not that you need much help.
Helen,
We are in agreement on so many aspects of this.
Yes, yes, yes on Sheriff Joe. My daughter lived in Phoenix/Scottsdale for about 6 years and we got to spend about 9 months there a few years ago. It is funny the reaction to Sheriff Joe. Some people will talk as if they think he is a buffoon, etc. When you ask if they voted for him, they will tell you yes, because he gets the job done.
What is so sad, we once had lots of law enforcement people and even politicians with the backbone and integrity to do the right thing.
I do not, however, ever believe we will get the legislature to do anything about illegal immigration.
They will do raids and call the media, but how many really get deported. Someone said that for 3 days before they did the big ‘raid’ on the Kosher meat packing place, they had immigration busses parked in a nearby parking lot. So much for surprise.
Also, concerning the Howard’s plant raids, an article said the number of absentee Hispanic children were pretty large for a few days before the raids. That would lead me to believe the government, or someone, tips these people off.
Oh, I can get any number of people to write to their law makers, call them, email them. I just can’t get them to actually put their money where their mouth is.
If we would get together and target one industry at a time. Pick one we know is heavily into hiring illegals and just stop buying their products for a month - 2 months, it would work.
What if everyone who disagrees with illegal immigration simply stopped buying poultry products for a month or 2 months and let the company know why. These people would get the message. They can’t pay these illegals if we don’t buy their products. They can’t just let these things pile up in a warehouse and wait us out.
This would be relatively painless. It would not necessitate doing any emailing, calling, letter writing to politicians. You wouldn’t have to check the labels to see what company. Simply pass by the particular product - no matter the company.
A year or so ago, we did get some interest on a national site and had people from all over the country interested. I wish we could have continued, but it fizzled out. During the time, however, in some places please reported that chicken was being advertised at some really low sale prices - in some places as low as .19 a pound. There is a possibility that was coincidental - but I don’t think so.
I am not advocating destroying any industry - far from it. All we need to do is get their attention and make them realize where their wealth really comes from.
After 3 or 4 industries got targeted, the rest would take notice.
Politicians have the message already. They know for sure what the people think, what they want and they know the harm that is being done. They will talk the good talk, pretend it’s the other party (whichever) that is standing in their way - until they get re-elected.
If we dried up the funds of these corporations who are hiring illegals, they would have none to purchase politicians with and they might, maybe, listen to us.
Perhaps we should get back to the implications of the article. If Mr. Nadhmi Auchi did indeed funnel payments to Sen. Obama thru Mr. Rezko is that not a violation of campaign finance laws which forbid candidates from taking donations from foreign powers as Pres. Clinton and VP Gore were accused of when they supposedly took donations from the Chinese? Or does the fact that a citizen middleman handled the money negate that charge? Who’s our resident legal expert on the convoluted aspects of the campaign finance laws?
“Who’s our resident legal expert on the convoluted aspects of the campaign finance laws”
Don’t hold your breath looking for one here!
GOSH - I actually agree with DAVE!! AMAZING. I don’t think any of us know enough on the campaign laws to opine but I will check and see if I can find out.
I just attended the MCCain/Palin rally in Colorado Springs and it was fantabulous!! The spirits were high, the day was HOT, and no one left!! There were about 20,000 people in attendance and more were “turned” away as all had to go through a “spectrometer” to be admitted but time ran out to allow them to get in.
FOX NEWS/CNN and others were there. Carl CAmeron was there so if you watch FOX tonight you might see him and some of the clips from the rally.
The candidates were about an hour and a half late and NO ONE LEFT!! AMAZING!! Even those standing in the hot sun on the tarmac were dancing, cheering and in such great spirits!
The speeches were about the same as the night of the campaign but were updated to reflect the current state of affairs. MCCain recognizes the
high unemployment and says he will work to get jobs going in the states hit the hardest.
The crowd cheered loudest for SARAH - she is so popular. I had made twenty signs saying “WOMEN FOR PALIN” and all were taken home to be “framed” as a momento from the rally.
Many DEMOCRATS were in attendance and said they would vote for MCCAIN as they are disgusted by Obama and his corruption. They also took the signs we had made - Democrats for McCain and held them up every time the cameras came on them.
IF you all have a chance - go to a rally. WEAR comfortable shoes if outdoors -we got there at 5 a.m. since we were volunteers and didn’t leave until 3:30 - on your feet the entire time! WHEW!!
I will check into campaign financing. I do have an article on OBAMA taking 12K which is illegal from the CROWN family and if anyone is interested, let me know and I will post it here.
Dave, that was a good and fair comeback. Unfortunately I’m not sure we could find an expert among attorneys so convoluted the law is.
That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong.
Go through your phone book, call people and ask them to drive you to the airport. The ones who will drive you are your true friends. The rest aren’t bad people; they’re just acquaintances.
Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule - and both commonly succeed, and are right.
Diacetic - You listen to country music for sure!
I like the song also - Find out who your friends are, By Tracy Lawrence!
Opaquer: Clearly what we see are two parties doing this except that in this election, the GOP is the ‘better party” to rule. Read ..THe Audacity of Socialism, a multi part report on Obama. Most interesting reading!
The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others.
Dave,
We do get off course sometimes, don’t we?
As to the laws, I’m thinking if the money had to be ‘funneled’ through someone else, then there was something wrong about the money - right?
If we actually had campaign laws, if they were actually enforced (who is going to do that?), I would imagine 90% of all campaign money would be either illegal or could be considered a bribe.
Helen,
s things stand, I’m thinking Mr. McCain is not a good choice - he’s just not the worst.
Lady T-
As to presidential candidates, we never seem to have a good choice. But as to the main subject of your last post, who was it that actually co-authored a bill (as opposed to just paying lip service) to deal with campaign finance? McCain.
That said, I can’t help but agree when you wistfully say “...if they were actually enforced(who is going to do that?)...” It’s criminal that we the people can’t “do that”, don’t you think?
My two cents: Both candidates have promised more than they can deliver (from Obama I’m expecting the moon and a kitchen sink), but the one whose promises have a SCINTILLA of possibility of coming true (I’m not holding my breath) is McCain.
Lady Texan - when you have only two choices, you ALWAYS choose the one that is better for your needs and in this case, MCC is much much better than Obama.
I question, as a community activist AND as a State Senator, if Obama couldn’t get rid of the rats in an apartment building in Chicago which was in his district (one of 258), and fix the deterioriation in another how in the world will he run the United States?? Obama did NOTHING For his people and will do nothing for the United States. With Sarah involved, I think MCC will at least do something about PORK and DRILLING which are two positive steps to getting the United States back on the right economic track! See the Boston Globe articles:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/06/27/grim_proving_ground_for_obamas_housing_policy/
I am not a fan of Obama - not because of much of anything he has said or done. Other than the militant dislike of white people, his campaign hasn’t seemed any different from any other politician of the other side of the political coin.
WE spend far too much time repeating political spin and not enough time actually thinking about things and speaking with each other, sans political spin. That wasn’t meant as an insult - just an observation on all of us.
It isn’t what I know about Obama that bothers me - it’s what we do not know and I think that is huge.
As I said, McCain is not a good choice - he is just not the worst.
The best of them all is Ron Paul, but unfortunately this country allowed the news media to tell them what to think and we lost the best, I hope not the last, opportunity to turn this country around.
What McCain may do is give us breathing room. As a life saver, McCain seems like trying to hold on to a piece of thread to keep us from going under, but that thread is all we have right now.
If we do get breathing room, we had better do some serious thinking, some serious action, in the next 4 years, or we have had it in this nation.
WE have to close our ears to poliical spin, stop thinking in terms of party, and begin to vote for this country rather than party.
We have to put our faith in ourselves and our actions rather than politicians. Remember they are the ones who got us in this shape. They and our blind faith in them.
We need to take charge of our lives, our money and use them in the best way for this country and our families.
There are still people in this country who have covered their ears, denied their eyes, and shut their minds to the point they actually believe President Bush is against illegal immigration.
There seem to be some that believe that McCain ‘got it’ during the last amnesty and he will close the border if elected.
There are some that still believe these politicians intended to actually build a fence.
In another article I read, some people were forced to take down their sign during the convention that read ‘build the fence’ - although the Hispanic signs for McCain were OK.
There are some that believe the Republican Party by virtue of some words in a platform are actually going to do something about illegal immigration.
Yes, illegal immigration is my main concern. IT is no secret that the ‘hispanic’ vote will have a huge influence on this election. After the amnesty, they will have a lock on the elections in many cities, counties and to some extent in some states. They can control many representatives in our federal government and some senators.
Think about that for a while.
All this is happening and will be possible because of the likes of not just Obama. Mr. McCain has been up there protecting this travesty for a long time, he actually tried very hard to give them amesty. He hasn’t changed. Maybe I should say his ‘backers’ haven’t changed.
WE don’t have a choice although we did. We have to vote for this man (McCain), but let’s stop deluding ourselves into believing that he is good for this country.
I fear that we will think because we defeat Obama, if we do and that is not a given, that we can sit back and celebrate and give each other the ‘high five’ and pat ourselves on the back. We should be so angry - so very angry- that we are in the position of having to choose only between these two men who do not care about what is best for this country or it’s people.
LT - Ron Paul had some good ideas but he never seemed to offer solutions. I couldn’t find any ideas other than “pull our troops out now” and become isolationist. I think he appealed to many people until they really listened to what he had to say and thus, he was NOT popular.
Duncan Hunter is a man of principle, is one of the most honest in Congress today but he also was not a successful candidate. HE had tremendous ideas and solutions but no one heard his message either.
For the last few elections I have voted with my hose held but at least MY choices have kept us safe, even if running us into debt and causing us to lose many top notch men and women in our military.
However, I am reading a book on globilaztion and how we can turn our country around and use our PETRO $$$ to get us out of debt and to get our economy on a firm footing. YOU would be interested in reading this -as soon as I finish I will recommend it or not.
HS
I agree - ladyTexan - McCain does not get it on illegal immigration, just as Bush has never gotten it, and far too many in Congress have not figured it out - part of the reason they have an approval rating well below 10%, huh?
But as you say, McCain is better than the alternative, but with Palin “maybe” McCain will get it a little bit more. And yes, like you, I certainly noted at the convention that they ignored illegal immigration. So I suspect, even with McCain, we will be stopping amnesties forever - as Congress tries to find new and improved ways to try to slide it by us while we are not as alert. BUT if Obama gets elected I suspect that with no elections for two years that in January they will just ram it through, and the heck with us. With McCain, we will find ourselves beating on him more not to sign it as we know Obama will sign it even though I think he is not only prejudiced against whites, but I believe he thinks even less of Mexicans - after all they are in a race right now to be the biggest and most specialist of the minorities.
In CA where we just moved from - when Hispanics move in, Blacks move out of a neighborhood. They do “hate” each other and that is too bad - but we MUST stop ALL future immigration both legal and illegal until we get a handle on who is here first. A border fence is a good start as is arresting those here and deporting them. Those who own property or have roots here for over ten years should have to pay a HUGE FINE and then apply to get in while going back home to wait until that application is approved. Those waiting to come here legally get first shot!
IF a criminal breaks the law such as selling drugs in a house, the house is confiscated and sold - the same should be true of the ILLEGALS and the property they own.
WE could deport many of them and that would help our schools, medical care, infrastructure, medical costs, medicare costs, etc etc.
It is a HUGE problem and WE need to do something about it including voting out MCC or anyone else who supports illegals - Nancy pelosi is the first one I would go after along with Barbara Boxer in CA!!
“Hatred towards Democrats” is apparently the common denominator among most posters here. But, you can all take heart: in this election, in spite of all the smokescreening about irrelevancies, ordinary, garden-variety racism will rear its head in the voting booth and will make certain that the black, bi-racial candidate doesn’t win.
Ms. Moose Stew is FAR more extremist in EVERY way than is Obama - - and many of them are “bad” ways - - but she’s white and, therefore, acceptable to the racists - - apparently, even as a potential President.
Extremist partisanship is at the point where all the rabid players are apparently willing to cut off their own noses to spite their faces in order to W-I-N!
There’s no “United” left in the United States. Everything now is about one side or the other (“liberal” or “conservative”, Democratic or Republican) getting the 50.1% to 49.9% advantage. There’s no “majority” there - - only the Hatfields and McCoys.
Nobody is apparently capable of focusing on promoting the supposedly good things about their favorite candidate. All anyone here can do is dump on the opponent - - and only in a personal, ad hominem way. It’s a sad commentary on supposedly educated and enlightened people.
Helen,
Ron Paul had many good ideas and many solutions.
His solutions were just to follow the constitution. It was just that simple and I’m guessing people were wanting to see some chest beating, big/involved/enlarged government solutions. WE don’t need anything ‘new’ - we need to return to the constitution.
The world ‘isolationist’ is what the media and other politicians used to smear him. He did not advocate isolationism. He advocating put this country first when making trade deals. That’s not isolationism, that patriotism and survival.
As to illegal immigration, he simply said, apply the laws. It’s just that simple. If we do that, they will leave. No huge comprehensive ‘reform’ package necessary - we already have those laws - use them.
The gold standard. WE are allowing the printing of money so fast with nothing, not even an economy, to back it up. That’s asking for trouble.
The federal reserve - why is it the one to control our money. That should never have been.
Bring the troops home - why not. We have troops flung to the far corners of the earth and it is costing us a mint - why?
Does Europe need us to foot the bill for their defense? Right now their economy is doing fine - partly, I’m thinking, because they don’t have the need to maintain their own military because we are doing it for them.
Why is our money for the maintenance of bases and personnel being spent in foreign countries?
Think about this - our country would be safer with those troops here and on our own border than guarding other borders around the world. The money spent to maintain those bases could be helping our economy - not some other country.
Let’s use the added expense of keeping them in other countries to better equip our soldiers. Let’s make sure if they ever truly need to go into battle, it’s not with vehicles with no armor or without bulletproof vests, etc.
He had many good solutions, they were just too simple and right and they didn’t involve any ‘new’ programs - which seems to be what the people of this country seem to want.
You know the fact that the media and other politicians spent so much time destroying him, should be the very reason people gave him a second look. Anyone they are all against has got to have some good ideas for this country.
The difference is - we are not ‘safe’. If the terrorist wanted to harm us, nothing is stopping us. Having our military all over the world, and primarily bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan certainly isn’t going to effect terrorists all that much. They like to target civilians - and nothing, least of all, our border is keeping that from happening.
We are not ‘safe’. WE are occupied by 30-50 million foreign nationals and more coming everyday. These people are having a very detrimental effect on our country and it’s people. They are weakening us in so very many ways. They are also voting, even though illegally, in our elections. We are far from safe.
Again, REd China pretty much ‘owns’ the Panama Canal now and it is being reworked. They say so cargo ships can come in - I’m thinking some of those aircraft carriers they are building could also come through. They are building ports in Mexico and our government wants to let Spain build a superhighway from Mexico to Canada with nothing being looked at until it reaches a Mexican port of entry in Kansas City. We are far from safe. What all could China transport into the heartland?
Remember in the debate when Ron Paul mentioned this, some media talking head pretended the plans for his highway didn’t exist. More or less said it was a figment of his imagination. How many people didn’t do their research on it? Plenty I’m thinking.
This President has kept us focused and involved in a costly war in the ME, while we are being given away to Mexico and sold out to China, and as many terrorists as want are free to come here.
We are being flimflammed -
To Helen Sabin, Post #158:
RE: “With Sarah involved, I think MCC will at least do something about PORK and DRILLING which are two positive steps to getting the United States back on the right economic track!”
Regarding “the bridge to nowhere” - - your newfound heroine, Sarah of the Backwoods, was first all for it before she was against it - - and even though “the bridge” was taken off the table - - Alaska still received, in other roundabout ways, the approximate $400 milliion in “pork” originally earmarked for the building of that bridge.
Further, Ms. Moose Stew also directly lobbied D.C. for money for pork for her townies - - and the town of Wasilla received federal funds in the equivalent about of about $4,000 per resident.
For many years - - the solidly Republican State of Alaska has been the home of the most corrupt politics and politicians in all of the U.S. - - and has regularly been the “barrel” that most of your “pork” has been stored in.
Mrs. Palin’s candidacy is an aberration - - and while I initially respected him for many years - - McCain’s selection of her for his V-P is, to me, a significant sign of his failing judgment - - and probably old-age beginning to interefere with his hunger for power.
(Personally, while I would have voted for him in 2000, I believe that the John McCain of 2000 wouldn’t vote for the John McCain of 2008 - - and I’m personally embarrassed by his selection of Palin.)
I LOVE SARAH PALIN - she has more executive experience than Obama and Biden and McCain combined! I am NOT personally embarrassed by her but am shouting my pleasure at her selection.
If MCC teaches her to hate “pork” and she teaches him to love “dilling”, we have a winning combination! Go Sarah and John!!
I also get a kick out of folks who don’t have facts or can’t reasonably argue a topic and they resort to name calling - Moose Stew??.
It reminds me of a 6 year old who calls someone a poo poo head!! It also shows the lack of maturity! Ha ha hee hee ho ho
And while I don’t agree with ALL Sarah stands for, she will do well for this country given her record in Alaska so far!
She is certainly better than Michell who called this country a mean and evil nation! And who teaches her BLACK folks in her Public Allies that capitalism on which the US is built, has elements of “White supremacy” in it, while ignoring that over 50,000 BLACK entreprenuers are using capitalism to succeed! So much for her knowledge and her “taste” and her “racism!” LOL!! I am laughing my head off at your misplaced anger and name calling!!
TK,
We can agree on some things - the idea that racism will keep Obama out of the WH is not one of them. He is the one that has constantly interjected racism and hate into the campaign.
I truly believe more people will vote for him because he is black than will not vote for him because he is black.
Racism - true racism - not the ‘he looked at me funny’ was almost gone. The kind that actually hurt people. This man has rekindled such hatred among the black community, I’m thinking no matter which way the election goes, we are in for some really bad times in this country. It has set us back many years.
Some hispanics will vote for him and through his open border, amnesty, give-them-the-country ideas, he and McCain will help the Hispanics. Black people are not realizing that that the black community has been hurt the worst by illegal immigration. I have seen it with my own eyes. I saw black people put out of work in favor of illegals.
There’s a little town I know that was once almost 50/50 black and white. The people got along fine. Then the illegals came in and many of the blacks have just left. That is sad, as this was their home, their heritage. Their people had been here as long as any anglo, but they were essentially forced to leave in order to work.
Our agreement is on the idea that the only idealogy is to WIN. We are pretty evenly divided in this country - party wise. If they can keep that division going, they can keep us from getting together and thinking in terms of right/wrong, good/bad, should/should not, and they can all continue to do what they and their employers (that’s not us) want done.
To Helen Sabin, Post #168:
Did you hear Palin’s acceptance speech? It was nothing but a litany of sarcasm, semi-polite name calling, and trite pep-rally-styled bloviating. Maybe something that TV sports announcers learn early-on. Anyway - - if she can do it - - I can do it! So - - to me - - she’s Ms. Moose Stew and the Backwoods Bubba Babe!
And, you’re the one who ignored the facts about Palin’s own pork-barreling and the fact that Republican Alaska has routinely been the recipient of the largest amount of earmarks of any state - - and Republican Alaska has seemingly also had more local and national political corruption scandals than any other state.
And with all due respect, to me, many of your posts seem to be conveying that your’re a champion-quality Democrat-hater - - and somebody with many prejudices - - and, obviously, just looking at your posts, you’re certainly not averse to namecalling yourself.
However, you’re entitled to your opinions and to laughing at whatever you choose - - as am I. I do get a laugh out of your comically partisan beligerence - - and I do get a laugh out of Ms. Moose Stew (who is the most extreme, most “out there”, and most unlikely national political candidate I could ever imagine) - - and, although it’s too sad to laugh about, I can’t believe that this is what “party politics” has degenerated into.
As I said, I believe your too-old soldier and his Alice-In-Wonderland-like attendant will win this election - - and that it will be directly due to the fact that the opposing ticket has a black guy in the top spot!
If you have convinced yourself that the last eight years have been an unmitigated success - - then, by all means, vote for McSame. To me, he was worth my vote in 2000 - - but never, now!
And, you should recognize that there are a LOT of people in this country who ARE bitter about what the Bush II administration has done to this country and its once-great economy and reputation - - and a 44-year-old - - like Michelle Obama - - who has lived 35% of her adult life under the failed Bush II adminstration - - could certainly expect to be frustrated and upset with the management and operation of her country by people bound to the special interests of Wall Street instead of to the needs of Main Street!
I have a longtime friend who has a favorite line: “I don’t see very much christianity in the hearts of most rightwing Christians!” he has a point.
Chew on this for awhile:
Obama’s Early Campaigns Financed by Lobbyists
Monday, September 8, 2008 3:29 PM
By: Kenneth R. Timmerman
While Sen. Barack Obama takes great pride in having recruited more than 1.2 million donors to his presidential campaign — many of whom contributed less than $100 — he hasn’t always been a man in touch with the grass roots.
Indeed, his early campaigns for the Illinois state Senate were heavily financed by well-connected business leaders, lobbyists, trial lawyers, and labor unions, a Newsmax review of campaign finance records shows.
Obama launched his first campaign for the Illinois Senate in July 1995 with a $5,000 loan from Al Johnson, a prominent Cadillac dealer in Chicago who was a close crony of Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
Johnson boasted of having provided luxury cars to Jackson free of charge, as I reported in my 2002 book, “Shakedown: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson.”
Johnson added another $2,000 to the pot as a contribution to the campaign in September 1995, making him Obama’s single largest supporter.
Not all of the Friends of Obama campaign reports are available online through the state of Illinois Web site. While there is no specific record available showing that he paid off the $5,000 loan to Al Johnson, his June 30, 1997 financial statement shows that his campaign’s debts had been reduced from $12,494.38 to $3,637.01.
The connection to Johnson came through Michelle Obama, who reportedly had been close to Jesse Jackson and his family since childhood.
Obama’s only other contributor in the early days of his campaign was Tony Rezko, the Chicago slumlord and developer convicted in July on 12 counts of wire and mail fraud.
Rezko gave Obama $2,000 in July 1995 as corporate donations from Lakeside Refreshments and Rezko Foods, both of which he controlled.
Obama has said he never intervened on behalf of Rezko in state or federal business, and did not benefit from a sweatheart land deal with the convicted felon, although Rezko sold him a lot next to Obama’s house in Chicago at what appeared to be below-market prices.
But in the 1990s, Obama’s Chicago lawfirm represented Rezko and his company, Rezmar Corp, as Rezko won government grants to build low-income housing for the poor. Both Rezko and his wife, Rita, worked on Obama’s first state Senate campaign in 1995, in addition to contributing money directly and through corporate entities.
Once Obama was elected as a first-time state senator in 1996, he turned increasingly to big labor and big donors. Money from Political Action Committees (PACs) — the vehicles used by lobbyists and labor unions — often outweighed contributions from individuals by as much as 10-to-1.
For the first half of 1997, for example, he collected $12,200 from PACs and trial lawyers, and just $4,175 from individuals. But even here, $2,000 of the money accounted for as individual contributions came from Rezko Concessions and Rezmar Corp, both of which were controlled by Tony Rezko.
For the first half of 1998, this trend continued, with just $1,505 collected from individuals and $13,500 from PACs. Tony Rezko provided food valued at $457.70 that was listed as an “in-kind” contribution.
As the 1998 elections approached, Obama picked up close to $30,000 from individuals, and an additional $23,850 from lobbyists.
His single largest contribution — $5,000 — was from the Illinois Political Action Committee for Education (IPACE), the political arm of the state teachers’ union.
His second largest — $3,000 — came from the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Next, with $1,000 each, came PACs representing the Teamsters, Social Workers, lawyers, dentists, the Chicago Teacher’s Union. A wide variety of local and federal labor unions gave him smaller amounts.
By January 1999, lobbyists and lawyers had become his single largest source of funding.
For the first half of 2000, Obama no longer bothered to solicit individual campaign contributors, while raising $14,600 from the lobbyists.
Even though 2000 was an election year, he only raised $2,400 from individuals that fall, while raking in $28,560 from lobbyists and lawyers. And of the $2,400 from individuals, more than half came from Evanston, Ill., lawyer, Larry Suffredin Jr.
“Obama’s source of support comes from the very far left of the Democrat party — unions, trial lawyers, social workers — not individuals,” said Cleta Mitchell, a partner in the Washington, D.C. law firm Foley and Lardner, which specializes in campaign finance law.
“So, now they try to say they have all this money from little people. He didn’t get there with small contributions from little people. He got there with being financed for a number of years by ultra left wing interests.”
It was those larger interests that provided the seed money and expertise that allowed the Obama campaign to build the broad base of smaller donors that his campaign now boasts of having recruited, Mitchell told Newsmax.
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
A formidable article. I’m saving a cached copy to avoid the possibility of that “Obama” “scrubbing effect” occuring. A great article—as a member of the (voting) public, I thank you for publishing this.
These references/this information overall suggests a clear motive as to Obama’s “U.N. heavy” politic and as to the motive/s of some in Europe and the U.S., unfortunately, who are eager to plant Obama in the White House. The building community of corruption associated with Barack Obama is outrageously offensive.
Nothing can be so amusingly arrogant as a young man who has just discovered an old idea and thinks it is his own.
There are admirable potentialities in every human being. Believe in your strength and your youth. Learn to repeat endlessly to yourself, ‘It all depends on me.’
All love that has not friendship for its base, is like a mansion built upon sand.
I must create a system, or be enslaved by another man’s.
I used to believe that marriage would diminish me, reduce my options. That you had to be someone less to live with someone else when, of course, you have to be someone more.
August 24 at 3:06 am | #1 | Link
Enjoy